Gobe Matenge�s grandson brings back memories through a story
Dumisani Ncube | Wednesday April 5, 2017 18:00
The one-man play, which is part of the Maitisong Festival events, was showcased at the Moving Space on Monday evening. Tiyapo depicts the various events in Matenge’s life from the time he was a young man through his life as an activist and diplomat.
The actor would every now and then change characters. The main characters were Gobe Matenge’s grandson, Teto Mokaila, who was also the narrator, a timeless character and protagonist Gobe Matenge.
The play starts off with old Matenge wearing spectacles walking slowly around the room filled with family pictures and a chair facing the wall, he sits down after a while.
While seated, his grandson Mokaila comes to greet him and have a conversation.
Before the conversation starts Mokaila gives a background of his grandfather who was supposed to be the Chief in Matenge village but decided to follow his passion and work for the country as a civil servant.
Narrating, he spoke of how Matenge and his friend struggled as bachelors in Gaborone where they would end up eating at the Village prison where one of their friends was a prison cook.
He tells of the pivotal role he played in the first government of the country and how Matenge believes in his own opinions.
The actor quickly changes into the old Matenge character, who stands up speaking in quaky voice to his grandson. Matenge talks of how one day he saw Sir Seretse Khama’s daughter Jacqueline driving a government car which left Matenge questioning why the president allows his daughter to do such a thing up to until Khama calls Matenge to his office to confront him but the latter maintains his ground, that it is unlawful for his daughter to be driving a government car.
The timeless character would appear every now and then, with humor and different emotions.
He would imitate and show in action Matenge’s emotions through anger and happiness. In the midst of the play Mokaila narrates how his grandfather was vivid when it came to preservation of culture and tribal languages, which led him to advocating for the recognition of iKalanga language.
Matenge would then raise an argument as to why other languages are not recognised in the country like Setswana but President Khama would tell him that its not like Setswana is a national language but it is widely spoken in the country.
An adamant Matenge gives an emphasis using the first line of the national anthem “Fatshe leno la rona” showing that the country is meant for everyone.
The timeless character appears, starts singing in iKalanga, which talks of how tradition and tribal languages have lost its significance, as the character sits down transforming into the old Matenge.
Despite being Matenge’s grandson the narrator spoke of how he grew up having challenges speaking iKalanga. The timeless character came again as he questioned the audience “what are you doing to preserve your mother tongue”.
The play concludes with Mokaila narrating how Matenge signifies family and unity speaking of how his grandfather always brings the whole family together during Christmas periods.