Local comedian Bokamoso Baitse, popularly known as ‘Mr. Speaker BW’ on social media aspires to take his comic career up the ladder, commercialising and building his respective brand.
The 32-year-old rib cracker, who rose to fame on social media thanks to his comic videos, hails from Gweta village and is man of many talents; being a stage actor and dancer. The mimic comedian is however based in Maun where he started shooting his comic videos.
Baitse told The Weekender that the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic and the subsequent lockdown resulted in the discovery of his comic career. “When we got bored with a friend of mine, Kefilwe Matsetse we decided to mimic the funny moments of Parliament proceedings,” he narrated in an interview.
Baitse said he was particularly drawn to former speaker of the national assembly, Phandu Skelemani’s control of Parliament especially his word exchange with the late minister, Dumezweni Mthimkhulu which he said was quite memorable. He would thereafter shoot funny videos mostly imitating Skelemani while Matsetse mimicked other members of parliament.
The Gweta native said he grew up as more of a clown amongst his friends but he was later inspired by two of his favorite local comedians, ‘Mdala ka Tje’ and ‘Yellow Bone’ popularly known as Sendimba Shita.
Besides receiving criticism on some of his videos and also being labeled as anti-Botswana Democratic Party, the local comedian shared that he has made through so many other challenges. He highlighted that he was never given an opportunity to competitively participate in any forum deserving of a local comedian and received no offers even when he was best suited,
“I watched fellow comedians as they were engaged several times and thriving just because they followed the previous ruling party,” he stressed.
With the new administration, Baitse however indicated that things have changed as he has been getting opportunities as well. The comedian is now confident that he will take steps up the ladder with his career.
He revealed that the most rewarding aspect of his comedy career so far despite the hardships, he went through, was their first commercial advert from FNB for its ‘Bodiragatsi Jwame, Lentswe Lame’ competition.
Baitse added that he aspires to grow bigger and better adding that his vision is to be fully commercial. “I would like to become a brand ambassador for businesses, companies and state agencies, make adverts and commercialise my work,” he stated, vowing to work hard in order to achieve his dreams.
With the coming of the new speaker of the national assembly, Baitse intends to also imitate him but will also continue with his signature tone of the previous Speaker, Phandu Skelemani.
