the keeping you on the MaP 12.16 c mpass MaP’s Form Five Class of 2016 unleashing havoc on Freaky Friday FREAKY FRIDAY Ruby Njonde, 5L In true Freaky Friday spirit, Form Fives closed their show swaying from side to side, while an emergency message On the 14th of October, was broadcast on the projector. As Form Fives amassed in the the curtains closed, the entire form fell walkway for their final assembly. to the floor in a heap of white masks. Wearing black shirts and white masks, Freaky Friday took a more exciting they stared ominously at students filing turn during break, when the group into Maitisong. Freaky Friday began unleashed havoc on the field. with a heart-breaking, candle-lit Within minutes, it was full of younger tribute to Fiona Nyathi, who passed students covered in spray paint, mud, away in 2013. Her memorial was mayonnaise and unidentifiable green followed by an intimidating martial arts substances. Shoes were collected and presentation from Yuhan Zhang (5K), a strung up on the football goalposts. comical rap piece, and a spicy salsa The bounty was auctioned away at performed by Samantha Moon (5K). the end of break. In between, hilarious impersonations “To sum it all up in one word, the field of Mr Schmidt, Mr Acheampong, and was colorful,” said Mpapi Moloi (5J). Mr Tshwene were staged. From the Form Five’s perspective, A group of boys danced to O.J by the field was a testimony of the Troyboi, eliciting frantic cheers from hard work poured into two weeks of the audience. They were matched rigorous rehearsals; the very efficient, in the assembly and their creativity out by a show-stopping hip-hop dance organized representatives, who on the field. recital led by Tyra Molosi (5L). planned Freaky Friday while studying “Everyone enjoyed this year’s limited Afterwards, Mwanje Tembo’s (5K) a for exams; a generally co-operative but exciting Freaky Friday,’’ said cappella band hushed the entire hall form class that didn’t waste time Nolwazi Waugh (5J). ‘’We went all-out with a medley of popular music. arguing; and the amazing, supportive to make sure it was the best anyone “Despite technical problems, we Ms Botha, who guided every decision, has ever seen. We even put clowns up ensured the show went on; the every step of the way. Freaky Friday on lockers and drew-up an extensive assembly was lit,” said Tiso Van was about the Form Five Class of 2016, hit list. It was awesome; the cleansing Ooteghem (5J). who had fun showing off their talents was glorious!” the compass Form 3 & 4 Drama Trip to New York Community Art On Saturday, 22nd Oct, the Community Art service travelled to Old Naledi, where they spent the morning painting with and playing 12.16 with the members of Bona Naledi, end of term, term three a community program for children under sixteen. Brought to you by : We wanted to give back to the community through our passion for Morongoa Mosetlhi (editor) art. We raised funds to buy fabric Jithya Wijesinghe (3K) paints, brushes and white t-shirts for Yue Tong Zhang (3K) each child. We stationed ourselves Angu George (4K) at every table to watch and assist the Donna Simon (4M) children while they painted their shirts. Kopo Keaikitse (5K) We showed the children that art is a Ruby Njonde (5L) form of self-expression. Seeing the chil- Lame Tsamaase (LM6) dren smile made us proud of what we Dimpho Gosenyang (LM6) achieved. with very special thanks to ~ Donna Simon, 4M everyone who submitted additional content for this edition, or helped with fact-checking From the 18th - 28th August, MaP’s Drama Department organized a trip to New Setswana Week got a story? contact us! York for their F3 & F4 students. Fifty-five pupils and five staff members landed at JFK (John Fitzgerald Kennedy) International Airport and felt like they were in a We live in a day and age where we take www.maruapula.org whole new world. The city was crowded with tall buildings; the sidewalks were culture and tradition for granted, even though twitter : @maruapulaschool crowded with bustling New Yorkers either stopping at fast-food stands or rushing they are a fundamental part of our lives. The email : morongoa.mosetlhi@ to their next destination. aim of Setswana week (26th – 28th Sept) was to maruapula.org raise awareness about Botswana’s rich, diverse facebook : Maru-a-Pula School history, to promote patriotism and to celebrate tel: 391 2953 ext. 259 Botswana’s achievements since it gained inde- pendence in 1966. The organising committees demonstrated resilience and passion over the three weeks leading up to the main events. The History and Achievements committee was responsible for carrying out accurate, extensive research on the country’s antecedents and designing posters, informative videos and slide shows, while the People and Culture committee disseminated information about Botswana’s On our second day in New York, we ethnic groups, effectively uncovering the watched our first Broadway show, country’s heritage. They hosted a quiz on titled Wicked. It was an excellently Botswana’s history and culture, shedding light performed, intriguing story, with great on the vast depth of Botswana’s background, acting and extraordinary singing. The and increasing the MaP community’s ardour sets were magnificent; the theatre was for ethnic identity and knowledge. huge and full. It was a life-changing Traditional food such as magwinya (fat cakes) experience! and serobe (tripe) was sold in the walkway. It The morning of our third day, we how things are done on Broadway; was pleasantly surprising to see the food fly off went to a Stage Combat workshop, most importantly, that theatre is a busi- the tables, as hordes of curious students waited where we met theatre experts from ness, and everything is done profes- to get a taste of the delectable Setswana Broadway Classroom. We learnt sionally. It was a great insight for us to cuisine. In addition to the sale, the Setswana on-stage fighting techniques and see what it takes to get to that level. week team hosted a discussion based on created a whole fight scene for On our last day, we had a Musical to street, and emptying every shop we current affairs in Botswana and the controver- ourselves! We also learnt to control our Theatre workshop, which taught us laid our hands on. After all, everyone is sial marriage between Botswana’s first presi- mind and use it to do amazing things various acting skills, including vocal allowed up to 45kg of luggage! dent, Sir Seretse Khama, and Lady Ruth Khama. with our bodies. They taught us how to warm-ups. We also created pictures One of the best parts of the trip was Students and staff were encouraged to repre- use our fingers to lift someone off the using words, working together to make meeting Mr Jack Golub and Mr Bruce sent their tribes by dressing up in traditional ground! In the afternoon, we watched the letters with our bodies. Nkala! Mr Nkala had driven a long attire. In an hour-long assembly, various aspects Aladdin. The set was beyond anything Outside of the plays and workshops way to meet us; we were more than of Botswana’s culture were showcased through we have ever seen! They recreated we attended, we had time to see happy to see both of them again. We a fashion show, traditional dance, and theatre, the Disney classic superbly and even New York. We visited many places: spent a couple of hours catching up which touched on the concepts of coloni- included a flying carpet! The songs the Empire State Building, 5th Avenue, and took a dozen pictures together. It alism, nationalism and the attainment of racial were fun to listen to and the acting Rockefeller Centre, Central Park, the was most definitely a happy reunion! harmony in the Bechuanaland Protectorate. A was wonderful! Statue of Liberty, the 9/11 Memorial, Over all, the trip was a success. We great deal of diligence was displayed by the We met performers from both shows. Chinatown, Washington Square Park thank Mr Ndlovu for organizing it. It technical support team, augmented by the The first was a dancer from Aladdin, and even Wall Street. A highlight of was one of the best experiences we school’s Maintenance department and staff. who informed us that he performs the sightseeing was visiting the Juilliard have ever had. We would also like to In the end, the commitment and meticulous twelve different dances in the show, School of Performing Arts. It is an thank Ms Sutherland, Ms Merafe, Ms work of the team hosting the events, and the and each one has its own costume! In amazing university with excellent facili- Bowe and Ms Ndlovu for looking after support from the school, created an excellent a question and answer session, he also ties! We all want to study performing us. We have learned so much and are production, proving that the MaP community explained how life is for a Broadway arts at Juilliard! We were given a grateful for this incredible opportunity. mirrors what Botswana hopes to have become: actor. The performer from Wicked told shopping day, where we went crazy! a diverse, united and proud nation that remains us that the show has been on-going for There were shoes galore, clothes and peaceful, holding fast to the dream of a bright eighteen years. She also told us that enough souvenirs to last a lifetime. ~ Jithya Wijesinghe & future. the script and cast have changed It was heaven to go shopping with over time.