Gaborone, Botswana — June 2025
The curtains are rising in the capital, and the final auditions for Botswana’s highly anticipated television drama “Phuduhudu ga e Tlhathlelwe” are set to electrify Gaborone this weekend. After phenomenal turnouts in Maun and a blazing showcase of talent in Francistown, the spotlight now shifts to the University of Botswana, Block 252, where aspiring stars will gather for one last opportunity to make their mark on what promises to be one of the most culturally resonant productions in Botswana’s television history.
Auditions will run on Saturday, June 21st, from 9 AM to 5 PM, and Sunday, June 22nd, from 10 AM to 3 PM, as part of a countrywide talent search spearheaded by Motion Lab Films & Television, with key sponsorship from CIPA (Companies and Intellectual Property Authority) through the Levy on Technical Devices Fund.
A DRAMA DEEP IN SOCIAL COMMENTARY AND RICH IN CULTURAL TEXTURE
“Phuduhudu ga e Tlhathlelwe” is not just another drama—it is a piercing mirror held up to society. Based on a novel of the same name, the story dives deep into themes of abuse, poverty, peer pressure, gender identity, generational trauma, resilience, and redemption.
The production boldly tackles sensitive yet vital topics such as sexual abuse, substance addiction among teens, parental neglect, intergenerational poverty, and the moral decay in some educational and religious institutions. This is a story not only to be watched but to be felt—because it reflects real, lived experiences in many corners of Botswana.
AUDITION PREPARATION: RAW TALENT WELCOME
Auditioning hopefuls are encouraged to visit the production’s Facebook page to select the character they resonate with. If they’ve read the source novel, they are to prepare a 60-second monologue that captures a dramatic moment from the book. Those who haven’t had a chance to read it need not worry—they will be given a scenario based on the character they choose.
Casting directors are not merely searching for polished performers; they are looking for truth, grit, and emotion. Whether you’re a seasoned stage actor or a high school student with dreams of stardom, this is your chance to bring a character to life.
THE WORLD OF PHUDUHUDU: 70+ ROLES TO FILL
The richness of Phuduhudu ga e Tlhathlelwe lies in its vast and vividly developed characters. With over 70 unique roles, this drama encompasses the lives of families, teachers, students, hustlers, healers, lovers, and leaders—each person a thread in the tapestry of Botswana’s modern social reality.
Key Characters include:
- Bontle – A beautiful, rebellious 18-year-old caught between freedom and destruction.
- Thandi – A respectful and brilliant student grappling with abuse and betrayal at home.
- Shwenene – A deep-voiced student dealer fluent in Tsotsi taal and a master of manipulation.
- Tshotlego – The moral center of the story, an intelligent young girl determined to escape poverty through education.
- Diratsame – A predator hiding behind charm and social respectability.
- Miss T – A flamboyant student navigating the complexities of being openly gay in a judgmental society.
- Scavenger and Gauza – Soldiers with toxic tendencies who prey on vulnerable young women.
Then there’s Mr. Sesiane, the stern headmaster who still believes in structure and discipline, and Mma Bantenne, the natural-haired teacher who remains the moral compass in an otherwise broken school system.
The cast list continues to expand with characters from every walk of life: church members, drug dealers, traditional healers, village elders, and even young children like Bamphabampona, who doesn’t attend school and instead tends to family livestock.
MORE THAN JUST ACTING – A PLATFORM FOR CHANGE
For many, the power of drama lies in storytelling. But for the producers behind Phuduhudu ga e Tlhathlelwe, this show is more than entertainment—it’s a social intervention. By casting locals, especially youth, in roles that reflect their own realities, Motion Lab Films aims to spark national conversations around taboo topics such as:
- The normalization of “sugar daddy” culture among teenage girls
- The silence surrounding incest and sexual abuse
- Youth unemployment and school dropouts
- Exploitation of girls by figures in authority and uniform
- The erosion of traditional moral values under urban pressures
CASTING CALL ENDS IN GABORONE—THE TIME IS NOW
“We saw amazing energy in Maun and a fiery passion in Francistown,” says the production team at Motion Lab. “But Gaborone—being the capital—has the potential to take this entire project to another level. We expect diversity, depth, and fearlessness from the performers coming in this weekend.”
Auditions are open to all who fit the required age ranges and characteristics described in the detailed character bios. Applicants are advised to arrive early, bring water, snacks, and—most importantly—their most authentic selves.
Social media has already exploded with hopefuls sharing their rehearsals, monologues, and creative interpretations of characters. On TikTok and Facebook, the hashtags #PhuduhuduAuditions and #PhuduhuduInGabs are trending.
A NATION HOLDS ITS BREATH
What began as a novel has become a national moment. With the television drama set to air later this year, the stakes couldn’t be higher—not just for those auditioning but for the entire country, which is eager to see its own stories told by its own people, in its own voice.
As the final auditions wrap up in Gaborone, one thing is clear: Phuduhudu ga e Tlhathlelwe is not merely a show—it is a movement. One driven by the raw, unfiltered essence of Botswana’s youth, talent, and spirit.
AUDITION INFORMATION AT A GLANCE:
- Location: University of Botswana, Block 252
- Dates: Saturday 21st & Sunday 22nd June 2025
- Time: 9 AM – 5 PM (Saturday) | 10 AM – 3 PM (Sunday)
- Preparation: 60-second monologue (if familiar with the book); or scenario provided on-site
- Dress Code: Come as your character or be prepared to shift into them
- Contact for Enquiries: 72 160 781 / 71 310 347
- Social Media: Motionlab Film & Television
Botswana, this is your moment. Will you just watch history being made—or will you be part of it?
“Phuduhudu ga e Tlhathlelwe” – The drama that dares to speak truth.
Let Gaborone close the auditions with a BANG!
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