This has been made evident in various television dramas and films shot in the country by very talented producers, with quality pictures and brilliant acting. But it is sad that most of those brilliant pieces never get a chance to be showcased in local television stations for reasons unknown. That led to most of the local talent seeking airplay from international television stations. Amongst them is a new local edutainment drama series that will be showcasing on a South Africa television channel, Moja Love, dubbed SgELA produced by Dee-Zone Productions.
The series will be showcased on July 15, 2024 at 5pm. It shows the social ills in schools such as the abuse of illicit drug abuse, teenage pregnancy, bullying, incest and defilement (where some teachers have intimate relationship with students). SgELA is a 26 episode teen drama that not only delves into adolescents' social ills and behavioural challenges but also uniquely explores the conflict between traditional and cultural beliefs in this era. It is a Botswana story that transcends borders and presents a shared continental narrative. The story could have not come at the right time as it comes at a time where many students and pupils locally are not doing well academically due to various reasons including social ills and bad behaviour of students towards their peers and teachers. Speaking at SgELA premier launch in Gaborone, MultiChoice Botswana managing director, Stephanie Pillay, highlighted how Multichoice believes Africans are the best storytellers of African stories. “I am excited as we celebrate the launch of a new chapter in Botswana's entertainment history with the arrival of SgEla on DStv! At MultiChoice Botswana, we've always believed in the power of local stories, stories that resonate with our hearts, reflect our unique culture, and showcase our immense talent. This captivating series is a testament to the unwavering dedication and creativity of our local filmmakers, actors, and production crews. They have poured their souls into crafting a show to entertain, spark conversations, inspire, and leave a lasting impression,” she said.
For her part, Moja Love director, Professor Mamokgethi Phakeng, said SgELA showcases that education is central to the success of a whole range of other human endeavours. She added that their own reconstruction and development effort and interaction in the global village, depend largely on the progress they made in educating their populations through the power of television. Phakeng also said that is why Moja television channels within the DStv platform back in South Africa, they saw it fit to license SgELA. “I am intrigued by the fact that Botswana has put in place numerous interventions through its new National Arts Council, geared towards bringing the creatives into the mainstream of the economy. Very encouraging too is the realisation that effective and free education prepares young people to be responsible enterprising. Therefore, in other reasons we acquired SgELA, was for the purpose of repositioning not only to commercialise the Botswana creative industry, but also to increase critical content for our 10 million viewers across Africa,” she said.
For her part, the permanent secretary at the Ministry for State President, Goitsemang Morekesi, extended extend her gratitude towards the role played by film and television in contributing to the national development agenda. She said film and television were essential and added value to the country’s economic sphere. She added that, the creative industry in Botswana contributes about 5.46% to the GDP, adding that that was an indication that film and television productions had untapped commercial value with high returns for the economy and employment opportunities for Batswana. She also said her mnistry is charged with the responsibility of managing public broadcasting by implementing programmes that will also ensure there is job creation.
