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From 6 July 2006, a graphic version of the current edition is available at the Daily News Online web site.

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After completing his bachelor of commerce at the University of Botswana in 1996, Norman Moloi the director of Thokolosi, which airs on Botswana Television (Btv) on Mondays, headed for South Africa.

During my time, arts, especially film was not considered as a career and I had to enrol for something that I could fall back on, hence commerce, he says. I did practice as a trainee accountant for sometime though.

The South African Broadcasting Corporation (SABC) then hired Moloi as a director for programmes such as Take-5.

Moloi then left SABC for Free Film Makers before he joined Channel O. After a short stint at Channel O, he left and became part of the production team for The Phat Joe, Pure Monate Show and Soul City after which he then returned home and did Thokolosi.

The Serowe-born Moloi told BOPA that he was inspired by the folktales the elderly used to tell them when they were growing up.

My grandparents used to tell us stories which we found fascinating and I have always wanted to tell the stories in a different form, he explains. I have always wanted to tell a story about the rich history of our country.

Moloi says he chose Bobonong because of the stereotypes people had about the village.

You know how people always say that Bobonong is a village of which-craft, so this gave me a good background for my story, I had no problem with the set-up.

He says when he first wrote the Thokolosi script, it was for a film but then changed it to a drama series, which he thought was marketable with the national broadcaster.

The script that is airing on Btv is a different one from what I initially wrote, but I think it is very good and the reception is amazing, from both the public and sponsors, he added.

Moloi also says unlike in Botswana where the film industry was still young and not taken seriously, the South African film industry is at an advanced stage in that people eke out a living through it.

You should know that the South African industry started way back and taken very seriously, so ours started in 2000 when Btv went on air, he adds.

I believe with time it will grow and be seen as an industry that can bring tourists and investors into the country.

He also says he is so passionate about his job, hence it is no longer about money. I have reached a stage where I do not direct for money, but for the love of it, I love my job and I would not jeopardise it, he says.

Describing himself as a busy man, Moloi says he hardly gets time to relax as he is always doing some production for some South African artistes.

His drama, Thokolosi, which has only aired two episodes, has not escaped public scrutiny. Some think it is controversial and not real while others believe it depicts part of Batswanas cultural beliefs and brings them closer to their roots.

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