The Pan Afrikanist Watchman

* “Dithunya” is the official Botswana film for Rustenburg Film Festival 

* South African fans hoping to meet Moletsane on the red carpet 

* Donald Molosi is expected to attend the screening of Dithunya in Rustenburg 

* “Dithunya” is now available on UPICtv

A Botswana film called “Dithunya tsa Rona” will debut this week at the Rustenburg Film Festival in the festival’s official selection from Botswana.

The award-winning film stars former Broadway actor Donald Molosi and Merciah Bonolo Moletsane. It was costumed, produced, written and directed and co-edited by American medical researcher Jenny Ledikwe.

According to the Rustenburg Film Festival, “Dithunya” will screen alongside the best of South African film including “A Grave Confession” starring Khanyi Mbau. “Dithunya” features performances by actor-cum-activist Mbali Kgosidintsi, DJ Trax and comedian Jujuvine.

When it was released in Botswana last year, “Dithunya” marked the first lead role for Motswana actress Merciah Bonolo Moletsane. A few months later, Merciah was nominated for a Best Actress Award at the Umgungundlovu Festival for her role in a separate film. 

Fans at the Rustenburg Film Festival are especially eager to meet Moletsane at the festival. Moletsane’s upcoming role is another high-fashion one in a Botswana series called Mogapi. Moletsane will star in Mogapi opposite American actor, producer and writer Denim Richards. 

Earlier this year, Moletsane wrapped up working on a new film (starring Kaone Kario) as Line Producer. In 2021 “Dithunya” created major waves internationally when Molosi was nominated for a Best Actor Award in Texas. 

A source close to the film reveals that “Dithunya” is now available for free on YouTube. Audiences will be glad to see a cameo by veteran actress Kgomotso Tshwenyego.

Despite the excellence of its actors, “Dithunya” was mired in disturbing controversy when it was first released in 2022 with alleged unfair treatment of actors by American medical researcher Jenny Ledikwe.

Production was allegedly paused several times to allow the first-time director space to learn on the job and for industry titans like Kgomotso Tshwenyego to step in to and write and direct.

One unforgettable alleged story involved one of the actors going into labour and Ledikwe forcing the show to go on until the concerned actor’s guardian physically came to set. Anonymous Dithunya actors at the time blamed it on Ledikwe’s alleged zero film experience since she is a medical researcher. 

An anonymous source revealed that Ledikwe has since left Botswana but that her alleged exploitative treatment of actors stains the film in many Batswana’s minds. The Production Manager for the film is Letlhogonolo Moremi.

The excellence of Dithunya as a film however shines through on screen thanks to the actors. The film was recently picked up to be streamed by UPICtv. Many Batswana have hailed it as a stunning success with top-notch performances from its lead actors when it premiered on Botswana Television in 2022.

The film launched careers of young Botswana talent like Tshepie Olds who also won a South African Best Actress Award for her supporting role in the film. Despite its director’s alleged bullying that chased away even its script writer Dr. Nankie Ramabu from her on-set duties, “Dithunya” continues to scoop awards around the world.

“Dithunya tsa Rona” was partly funded by Stepping Stones International and the European Union office in Gaborone. The film will screen at the Rustenburg Film Festival from May 3.