Storytelling is my passion. The ability to project our thoughts into words, story and picture is truly part of the human experience; it’s how we share our beliefs and values, how we communicate our lifestyle and our history and eventually, how we map our way into the future.
Black African storytelling is a celebration of who we are, what we are, why we are. It keeps us alive and relevant in this ever-changing and evolving utopia.
I’m a professional scriptwriter and creative director at N&M Productions, a film and entertainment company that is based in Gaborone, Botswana. I graduated with an honors degree in film and television from Limkokwing University, and went on to enroll in the inaugural Multichoice Talent Factory (MTF) class of 2018 in Lusaka, Zambia.
MTF is a 1 year film and tv educational program that immerses young filmmaking in the industry through hands-on classes and internships, giving the full experience of working in television.
MTF was quite an eye opener in many aspects, the first being getting a chance to work in a totally different country and learning how their film industry operates and what has helped them to grow and succeed over the years, through breaking cultural boundaries and boldly stepping into unchartered territory. Secondly, the facilitators/lecturers in MTF are industry professionals from all over Africa, and the knowledge and skills they shared with us were impactful and crucial in my film journey.
Thirdly, it was very inspiring and motivating to be among 19 other students who shared the same passion and determination to create stories and share them with the world.
It is within this group of young talented and skilled individuals that I connected with my current business partner, Nikita Neo Mokgware, who was also a student from Botswana.
Nikita and I co-wrote “The Painting”, one of the two MTF films that was commissioned and broadcasted by DStv’s channel Zambezi Magic. When we both came back from Zambia in 2019, we continued to work together, freelancing as scriptwriters. Eventually Nikita established a company, N&M productions, and I came on board as the creative director.
Through N&M Productions, I’ve written various scripts for commercials and series; including a police drama called “The Star” that is currently streaming on Botswana’s UPicTV.
The Star is a television drama series that premiered in Botswana in 2021. This drama series boasts of its talented cast and exemplary African storytelling by Batswana. The cast includes none other than Kabo Timela who played a character named Nare on SABC 2's hit soapie Muvhango and Palesa Molefe, a film actress and the reigning Miss World Botswana.I also produced and co-hosted a film podcast series for the Multichoice Talent Factory called “This is Africa”, which is on the MTF website.
My journey as a storyteller has only just begun; there are so many untapped sources, untold events, and massive creativity among us as Africans that the world is yearning to see. It is a privilege to be part of this experience, and my responsibility as a filmmaker to see it through. No one can tell true African stories like Africans; they can try but it never resonates like it should. So we better get to it!
Read More
Premiere of The Star at New Capitol Cinemas: https://fb.watch/apNJTxJDJO/
Stream 'The Star' : https://fb.watch/apN8BIPgJ4/
Watch Serena's sit-down with Neighbourhood Watch BW: https://fb.watch/apOCxMqrhS/
Watch Nikita's motivational video for her application to MTF: https://fb.watch/apOfW_rWAb/
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