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In celebration of Women’s Month, Mophato Dance Theatre premiered THARI: Women Who Carry the Nation, an original musical production and social impact initiative staged in partnership with the University of Botswana (UB). The premiere took place at the Visual and Performing Arts Theatre Hall on the 26th of March 2026.

The production, which also ran on the 27th and 28th of March, is a powerful artistic expression rooted in Setswana culture. It explores themes of strength, resilience and sacrifice embodied by the women in Botswana, using dance and musical theatre to celebrate their enduring role in shaping society.

Opening the premiere, Dean of the Faculty of Humanities, Professor Thapelo Otlogetswe, offered a reflective introduction that unpacked the meaning and symbolism of Thari before the story unfolded on stage.

“In Setswana tradition, a Thari is a baby carrier used to hold a child securely on the mother’s back,” he explained. “In ancient times, it was delicately crafted from soft tanned antelope skin, chosen for its suppleness and durability. This natural material was prepared with care so that a child could be held close, comforted by the mother’s heartbeat, protected against the world and grounded.”

Professor Otlogetswe emphasised that Thari was not merely a physical object but a profound metaphor for nurture, protection and the transmission of culture across generations.

“This understanding resonates deeply in the Setswana idiom Mosadi ke Thari ya Sechaba,” he noted, “which expresses that a woman is the carrier of the nation - the one who holds communities together, bears the weight of continuity and passes on wisdom, identity and compassion.”

Drawing a powerful connection between tradition and performance, he added that just as a child rested safely in the Thari, so too did a nation rest in the hands, hearts and labour of its women. He encouraged the audience to immerse themselves in the production and allow the theatre to become a space that carried them through shared human experiences.

“Tonight’s performance draws on Thari, both materially and metaphorically,” he said. “As the story unfolds, may you feel the emotional embrace of the narrative, just as a child is held in the softness of the Thari. Allow the theatre to transport you, to carry you gently and truthfully through our shared human journeys.”

Professor Otlogetswe concluded by thanking the audience for their presence and support, expressing hope that the production would deepen appreciation of Botswana’s cultural heritage and collective identity.

“On behalf of the University of Botswana, the creative team and the performers, thank you for joining us this evening,” he said. “May this performance deepen your appreciation of our stories, our values and the heritage that binds us together. Enjoy the performance.”