Staff Reporter
IN a heartfelt plea for greater support for the arts, veteran South African actress, Lillian Dube, has appealed to the Lesotho government to invest in and nurture the country’s rich cultural tapestry.
Speaking at the recent launch of Endurance film, the brainchild of renowned local actress, and communications specialist, Matšeliso Mohale, Ms Dube criticised the government’s lack of engagement with local talent.
She said it was disappointing that talented individuals were often compelled to seek recognition and opportunities outside their homeland.
Endurance, which premiered on 9 November 2024 at Avani Lesotho, is a short film portraying Basotho family setups, their practices and norms, as well as how Basotho women endure pain in the name of love, and how that endurance affects their children.
The film addresses social issues such as advocacy against GBV as an essential tool in raising awareness and fostering discussions.
Endurance aims to advocate for the elimination of GBV, serving as a powerful medium for education and social change, and focusing on storytelling that resonates with audiences and motivates them to act against violence in all its forms.
Ms Dube, who has built a distinguished career spanning decades, emphasised the shame in Lesotho’s ability to issue exit documents for artists to showcase their capabilities in neighbouring South Africa, rather than fostering an environment where talent can flourish domestically.
“It is a pitiful and a shame, that young Basotho artists must cross borders to have their artistry recognized,” she lamented.
“Their storytelling is best understood in their native land, yet they are drawn away from home in search of validation and opportunity.”
Highlighting the formidable challenges faced by female artists, Dube painted a grim picture of life in South Africa for these visionaries who arrive with dreams but little economic backing.
Female artists were often left vulnerable and exposed to the harsh realities of an unforgiving industry, Ms Dube asserted.
“When they arrive in South Africa, many nurse the hope of being signed up by major production houses. They would have left everything behind, hence don’t have basic necessities like a roof over their heads, food, and transport. This vulnerability can lead to exploitative situations where producers, manipulate their need for survival,” Ms Dube said.
The actress further expressed her disappointment at the absence of government officials at the movie launch, saying their presence would have illustrated their commitment to the local arts scene.
“It was disheartening to see that the government declined to attend despite being invited. They missed a vital opportunity to witness the dedicated work of Matšeliso Mohale, who needs all the support she can get to continue inspiring future artists,” Ms Dube said.
Ms Mohale, the film’s producer and director, also shared her frustrations over the lack of financial backing, revealing that she had financed the Endurance film project from her pocket. That meant she could not even pay the cast.
“Despite working extensively to produce what we believe is a masterpiece, none of us were compensated financially. We did this out of a passion for the arts, not because we had ample resources,” Ms Mohale explained, highlighting her dedication and commitment to the entire cast.
Supporting Mohale’s sentiment, Humbulani Tsharani and Kingsley Ramabulana, who are popular actors in the renowned South African soap opera Muvhango playing Mulimisi and KK respectively, applauded the film, dubbing it a “masterpiece” that deserved further attention beyond the launch.
“It would be a shame for such talent to go unnoticed. The story needs to resonate with more people,” Mr Tsharani stated.
Meanwhile, Ms Dube had earlier reiterated the potential for the arts to contribute to job creation in a country where unemployment had reached crisis levels.
“The government should recognize the arts and culture sector as a viable avenue for employment opportunities,” she advised, urging policymakers to consider funding and infrastructural support for local artists.
Ms Dube also spoke of Lesotho’s natural beauty and its potential to promote tourism through artistic expression.
