REFLECTIONS by Themba Ka Mathe: Motlamogadi Bioscope Screenings at Schools in Polokwane

ANY EVENT that exposes the youth to cultural and creative industries products and experience especially in far-flung and neglected areas is crucial in instilling confidence, opening new worlds, shaping personal identities of the learners and exposing them to new career options. The event, part of the Motlamogadi Bioscope, an initiative of the Chepapeism Movement was held at Gerson Ntjie Secondary School in Ga Mothapo village, a few kilometres from the University of Limpopo, Mankweng Campus. The principal and staff were incredibly welcoming and engaging on the activities of the day at their school.

Motlamogadi Bioscope poster Courtesy of Khehla Chepape Makgato. 

The Motlamogadi Bioscope comprising screenings, workshops and panel discussions went a long way in cementing the complex marriage between entertainment, audience development and skills development. 

In its format, the programme served the larger social function of reviving and promoting the culture of public film consumption, critiquing and patronising. 

The icing on the cake was that all the movies were too close to home for the learners; having Limpopo subjects and matter in them. 

However one would have loved to see local audiences exposed to other cultures and worlds. 

Having set throughout the day-long programme, what impressed me the most was the engagement session of the programme where school learners had an opportunity to comment on the movies that they watched and also interact with the panel of experts around different aspects of the television and film industry. 

This session was conducted in an innovative way that facilitated inter-generational exchange of cultural and creative industries knowledge and experience. The information shared was more practical, rare and much more valuable than I had expected, since most people, not just the youth have no idea what happens behind the curtains.

There is a seed of hope that has been planted in the hearts and minds of the learners that were part of this programme of film screenings, workshops and discussions at the Gerson Ntjie Secondary School. The cultivation would need to happen for better reaping. 

In closing, what I found to be the heart of the film screenings was the hands-on forged partnership between the school officials and the young project assistants that made sure the day ran smoothly.

The project manager Khehla Chepape Makgato, PhD Candidate would like to acknowledge the funder National Film and Video Foundation through the Presidential Employment Stimulus Programme by Department of Sports, Arts and Culture. 

Themba ka Mathe, Journalist, Film Maker, Media Trainer and Strategist