Bot50 dazzling theatrical display humbles critics

Thapelo Letsholo, the Managing Director of Red Pepper PR which was awarded a P14million tender by BOT50 amid negative publicity is a happy man.

This follows the dazzling production of the Independence Day celebration ceremonies that was staged under their directorship after they were tasked with running the show by the BOT50 committee.

The company was initially embroiled in controversy after they paid South African choreographer Somizi Mhlongo P500 000,00 for a two-day workshop. As if that was not enough, the company was also accused of fronting for a South African based company trading under a similar name, which Letsholo vehemently denied.

Letsholo told The Midweek Sun that he was happy with the support he had received from BOT50, Ministry of Youth Sports and Culture (MYSC), other local companies and individuals who assisted with preparation of the theatrical piece.

He explained that from the onset, their aim was to make the 50-years anniversary a unifying event and an inspiration among the Batswana people by including people from all walks of life in their preparation for the big day. He said they partnered with ordinary individuals and big companies to deliver a successful event.

“On the 29th of September 2016 at the national stadium, we showcased the highlights of our mining industry and its contribution to our economy since the country gained independence from Great Britain in 1966,” he said, adding that they managed to convince Debswana to release their big mining truck and 100 of their employees to be used as part of their theatrical piece.

Letsholo said through their country tour with Shine Actors’ scouting team, they had managed to get 400 participants from Maun, Kasane, Gaborone, Francistown and other places. He pointed out that they were not looking for qualified dancers or performers as they wanted to unearth new talent. “If we had wanted to engage only experienced performers, it would not have made our display inclusive hence we depended on relatively new performers to give them a chance to shine. The choreography was a collective effort by all those who participated during the rehearsals and it will be wrong for us to give individual accolades,” he said.

Letsholo said that they had also engaged local taxi operators who are not known in the transport industry as they did not want the big guns to have a bite at the cake alone. He added that even catering and accommodation were awarded to relatively unknown companies in order to empower those who have been sidelined at the expense of big companies.

Letsholo said his favourite act was when they managed to bring the big guns of the industry under the same roof during the BOT50 celebrations. “This time around, we had a headline talent which included the line-up of Alfredo Mos, Franco, Dr Vom, Scar, Maxy and Jeff Matheatau who are the pioneers of the local music industry. We wanted to encompass all genres of music under one roof and it was a memorable experience for us and the artists,” he said.

The Bot50 National Coordinator Charity Kgotlafela was over the moon with the scintillating display by Red Pepper. She said that it was worth celebrating their success after they were castigated left right and centre throughout the preparation of the entire event. Kgotlaetsho said that the P14 million awarded to Red Pepper had served its purpose considering the magnitude of the preparations.