Kola fears for Mophato�s future

Shingirai Madondo | Tuesday January 21, 2014 17:41

 

The 29-year-old from Molepolole village said the country’s most decorated contemporary dance group has got the potential of ending up boring its targeted audience.“It becomes monotonous to be seeing one group performing all the time,” Kola told Showbiz in an interview just before a workshop for artists based in Francistown and the periphery on Monday.

His group is currently conducting a six-day workshop for artists in Francistown. The workshop started on Monday and is expected to end Saturday afternoon.

According to Kola, the aim of the workshop is to impart skills and knowledge with potential contemporary dancers. The artists are expected to be equipped with the acumen to form their own contemporary groups in Francistown and other parts across the country. Kola said the growth of contemporary dance in Botswana is at risk.  The decision to host some workshops for artists in other areas save the legacy of contemporary dance and keep it from dying a natural death, he said.

Competition for his group by encouraging creation of other groups would be healthy, as Kola said the intention is to save thee dance from a potential demise.

To be a sole dominator of contemporary dance has got its negative effects, Kola said.

“Batswana are a rare breed of entertainment consumers. They become bored easily by seeing one group dominating the category without others coming up through the ranks,” Kola expressed. Upon realising that the future of his group and that of contemporary dance is in danger.  Kola approached the Department of Arts and Culture to sponsor his endeavour to hold workshops for artists and encourage Afro fusion dance in the country.

He expressed his gratitude to the department for sponsoring the cause. Mophato was established in 2009 in Gaborone with a vision to open a contemporary dance academy for children in the vicinity. 

Scores of artists who registered for the workshop were optimistic and grateful the idea will go a long way in ensuring that there is growth of contemporary dance in Botswana.