Quite often, the connections and the disconnections between the developing Botswana and the developed United Kingdom intrigue me.
Recently, a couple of days before the historic Golden Jubilee celebrations, a very fitting movie premiered in the capital Gaborone. However, it should be noted that the movie was – if only on paper – open to the “general public”. What was very elite about this supposedly general public was the ticket price: P1500, or £110. Minimum pay, in Botswana, is around £50-£75 monthly, quite often less.
From the movie, the brilliant Donald Molosi and the beautiful Terry Pheto graced the event. Prince Andrew; Former presidents Sir Ketumile Masire and Festus Mogae; as well as Dr. Ian Khama Seretse Khama, the incumbent president, attended the premier, too. A significant number of the “well paid” professionals I know did not attend the movie, citing the “ridiculous” ticket prices.
Almost a week later, the very same A United Kingdom, this time, in the United Kingdom, to mark the beginning of the London Film Festival, opened to the general public. Only the ticket prices differed to the prices in Botswana: £56 I paid for the two tickets. The minimum pay in the United Kingdom is around £1000 monthly.
Of course, the minimum paid employees, such as myself attended the movie. The Movie Director Amma Asante, The London Film Festival Director, Clare Stewart and the movie leading actors (see image) graced the event!
Image: theguardian.com
Blessing Kgosi e tsile Kgasa 