Chasing his dream

Source : KUTLWANO

Author : Baleseng Batlotleng

Location : GABORONE

Event : FIlm maker feature

From the moment Ndinaye Chengeta was introduced to the works of reputable directors, screenwriters and producers in the mould of Steven Spielberg and James Cameron, amongst others, he has not been able to take his mind away from filmmaking.

It was not an easy journey. It was not a trip without bumps to live his dream, as he puts it. The 35-year old Ndinaye had to endure disappointing spells when his efforts to get scholarship to pursue a career of his dream in filmmaking were turned down. However, his never-say-never attitude to gain entry into the industry was buoyed by a strong ambition to seize a dream that was plucked from him.

After his application to travel to the US to study filmmaking was rejected, Ndinaye enrolled at Molepolole College of Education (MCE) for a teaching diploma. A career that was never his choice and after a short stint at Tshegetsang Secondary School, still in Molepolole where he taught English and Guidance and Counselling, he ventured into the entertainment industry, running the popular “Kwa ga Glenda” night joint where he became an administrator and Dj at the same time.

At that time Ndinaye also attempted shooting weddings and from that moment he became fascinated with the whole motion picture process and subsequently made his directory debut with a local film entitled Four Thirty, arguably his biggest break. A movie based on when the world of the old and young blend. It speaks to all, the excitable youth who know no better, the adults crossing sexual boundaries with children they should be nurturing, the parents who miss out on their children`s emotional lives to the person in between who sees it all but looks the other way.

“As soon as I did that, I knew I wanted to be a filmmaker,” explains Chengeta. “It hit me on a lot of different levels. I just couldn`t figure out how I did all that stuff, and I just had to learn.” And learn he did. He soon attracted international attention including subscription based Mnet channel when he attended a fair in Johannesburg. The cast for Four Thirty include, amongst other well-known local actors, One Senai and Isaac Sedimo.

During the presentation of the film, Chengeta got to meet the Makgabaneng crew and directors. He offered to shoot the now local popular television drama, Mareledi, for free. He did the package and did not disappoint. He won the tender for the production of Makgabaneng in 2012 with a target of 52 episodes for Botswana Television. 

Chengeta is positive that his earlier dream has potential. When asked about becoming a film director by inspiring future generation, the youthful filmmaker is ready. “Whatever your talents, whatever your strengths and weaknesses, you have to find the path that`s going to work for you. The film industry is about saying yes to what you think you want to see happening,” he enthuses. His company just won first position in commercial service providers at the just ended Consumer Fair. ENDS

Teaser:

‘It hit me on a lot of different levels. I just couldn`t figure out how I did all that stuff, and I just had to learn.`