POLOKWANE – The organisation is directed by Tlou Beon Nkuna, a local from Seshego Zone 4, who says he has always had a love for the stage.
“Art has been my passion. I grew up watching stage plays directed by Selaelo Maredi and Paul Rapetsoa. The reason why I have always chosen stage plays over televised dramas and soapies is because of the immediate and direct communication and feedback a live audience offers us as actors. It allows for one as an actor, artist or entertainer to immediately work on their faults and improve themselves,” he explains.
The name Maratahelele translates to go-getter; a person who doesn’t wait for things to happen but rather makes things happen.
This is in relation to Beon’s character because as the director, he makes sure his colleagues get gigs so they can get recognised in the entertainment industry. For instance he says that if he hears about a concert, he usually asks for a slot in the concert so his crew can be granted an opportunity to perform and showcase their acting talents.
So far the script writer has written four stage plays:
• Miss Maluleka which is scripted around empowering women. The stage drama was staged in Polokwane at the TVET college and also at a Women’s Day function two years ago and among the audience was the then Public Protector, Thuli Madonsela.
• Enough is Enough which is a drama depicting the events which led to the 16 June celebrations. It won second place in a competition for stage play-writers and actors held at the Polokwane Municipality among 40 competitors.
• My Culture My Pride which is based around the importance of celebrating our unique and different cultures and embracing them. It was performed last year at the Polokwane Library Gardens.
• Currently he is working on Speak Now which aims to serve as an edutainment play to educate and entertain the audience with content about South Africa’s history and struggles to becoming a democratic country. The play is set to launch in October.
Beon says that even though he has a solid cast he is still looking to recruit talented actors in Limpopo and interested individuals can contact him at 081 870 5890.
