Gaborone, 30 August — Botswana multidisciplinary artist Lone Motsomi returned to home ground with the Botswana premiere of Kgololo: The Way Out Is Inward at Maitisong Theatre on Sunday, 30 August.

The intimate performance follows its world debut in China last year, marking a milestone moment for Botswana’s theatre scene.

Blending movement, theatre, storytelling, and memory, Kgololo explores grief, identity, and liberation through the body. At its core lies a haunting question: What if the way out of pain is not escape, but confrontation? For Motsomi, the answer begins by looking inward.

The title carries deep resonance — kgololo means liberation in Setswana, and it was also the name of Motsomi’s late father. That personal history anchors the work in themes of inheritance, release, and freedom.

Directed by Tefo Paya, the production unites a creative team from Botswana and South Africa. Executive producers Thabo Rametsi and Donald Molosi praised Motsomi’s artistry, calling her “a generational talent” and describing the premiere as a turning point for Botswana’s solo theatre.

Producers Noxolo Dlamini and MotherK Masire added depth from their own acclaimed careers, while Mpho Sebina coordinated marketing.

Motsomi’s international journey — from 13 years with Mophato Dance Theatre to Broadway’s Pula! The Musical, and screen roles in The Woman King and Blood & Water — now circles back to Botswana with a work rooted in personal memory and collective reflection.

The premiere was received as both a homecoming and a thank-you to Botswana, with the creative team expressing gratitude to audiences and supporters for embracing the production. For Motsomi, it was more than a performance — it was an invitation to confront the past and discover freedom within.

As the production continues its international journey, Kgololo stands as a testament to the power of African storytelling and the resilience of memory carried in the body.

SIDE BAR

Kgololo: The Way Out Is Inward — Quick Facts

Premiere Dates

• World Premiere: China, 2025
• Botswana Premiere: Maitisong Theatre, Gaborone — 30 August 2026

Artist & Performer

• Lone Motsomi — Botswana multidisciplinary artist
• Background: 13 years with Mophato Dance Theatre; Broadway (Pula! The Musical); screen credits include The Woman King, Blood & Water, Shaka iLembe, G20

Creative Team

• Director: Tefo Paya
• Executive Producers: Thabo Rametsi, Donald Molosi
• Producers: Noxolo Dlamini, MotherK Masire
• Marketing Coordinator: Mpho Sebina

Themes & Storyline

• Explores grief, memory, family, identity, and liberation
• Rooted in the Setswana concept of kgololo (liberation) and named after Motsomi’s late father
• Uses movement, theatre, and storytelling to show how the body carries memory

Why It Matters

• Marks a milestone for Botswana’s solo theatre landscape
• A homecoming for Motsomi after international acclaim
• An invitation to audiences: The way out is inward