The much-acclaimed Botswana Police Service television programme will not be introducing subtitles for non-Setswana speaking people, including people with hearing impairment, any time soon.
Itshireletse, a Sunday evening Botswana police television drama, has become popular with the audience for its educating and informing crime prevention tips.
Nonetheless, the communication barrier is the main problem besieging the very pertinent programme as it is aired in Setswana in this multi-racial, multi-ethnic and multi-lingual society.
Although acknowledging the importance of the programme to the society at large, the Minister of Presidential Affairs and Administration says it would take sometime to introduce subtitles on to the programme.
“The desire is to reach as many diverse audiences as possible, including non-Setswana speaking people, those with hearing impairment and any others. However, this has not been achieved due to logistical challenges and costs relating to drama production, which entails sophisticated and advanced production which Botswana Police Service does not have,” said minister Mokgweetsi Masisi.
Standing for the Minister of Defence, Justice and Security, Masisi added: “Therefore, Itshireletse will, for now, remain being produced in Setswana.”
In a country of several languages, Itshireletsi is expected to introduce English language subtitles to reach a wider population of Botswana, including those who do not speak Setswana.
Produced by police personnel themselves, Itshireletse stories range from, among others, robbery, family disputes to rape cases.
It shows the blatant everyday mistakes unsuspecting ordinary people commit and, in the process, the programme gives tips and information to the public to avoid similar blunders.
The programme has become a hit with BTV viewers, including children who are encouraged by their parents and teachers to watch the programme and learn that crime does not pay from early stages.
The programme has even attracted the attention of the highest office in the land, which recently conferred actors with the Presidential Award.
At the end of each episode, Itshireletse usually informs viewers of the most recent crimes that need public attention and also shows pictures of dangerous and wanted suspects on the run for public awareness, much like the USA programme, America’s Most Wanted.
Kgosi Kgomotso Boiditswe, a chief in the House of Chiefs and a fan of the programme, solicited for answers from the ministry responsible for the drama during a Ntlo ya Dikgosi session this week, underscoring the importance of introducing subtitles for non-Setswana speaking viewers.
