Film industry mourns ‘Jokes’

The theatre and film industry has been plunged into mourning following the death of legendary actor, Motjoka ‘Jokes’ Ramonono, who wowed viewers with his character as ‘Letata’ in locally made film ‘Kau-La-Poho’. The movie went on to gain huge international acclaim in 2008.

Ramonono died last Saturday after a short illness at Queen ‘Mamohato Memorial hospital.

Jokes was Minister Counsellor at Foreign Affairs before he went on retirement. He was also once Deputy Head of the African Peer Review Mechanism (APRM) Secretariat Lesotho Chapter.

But he was more famous as an actor in theatre, radio drama and film. Among his greatest works was a local film named ‘Kau-La-Poho’ which later became his nickname. He held a Bachelor of Laws from the National University of Lesotho (NUL).

In an interview with theReporter, renowned artist, filmmaker and director of ‘Kau la Poho’, Silas Monyatsi, said he had known Jokes since the late 1980’s when he was taking part in theatre dramas at NUL as part of Mafube Theatre Group.

Monyatsi said Jokes worked closely with Professor Masitha Hoeane, Mpamo Tente and many others. Their group also worked along with another theatre group called Marotholi Travelling Theatre, which was established at NUL by Professor Zakes Mda. The latter consisted of the likes of Afelile Sekhamane, Thabang Lekhela, Selloane Motsieloa Mokuku, and others.

“I met them when I started working directly with them in 1990 after completing at Moshoeshoe II High School, joining Marotholi Travelling Theatre through Ntate Afelile Sekhamane. I then knew Ntate Ramonono when we did a drama called ‘Bana ke lipalesa empa’ from 1990-1991 which was produced by Zakes Mda.

‘’So, ‘Bana ke lipalesa empa’ film consisted of various people from other theatre groups in the country. Those included Lebohang Belebesi, who was the chief in Kau-La-Poho cast along with Jokes.

“Furthermore, I worked with Jokes until he joined the ministry of foreign affairs in early the 90’s along with Thabang Lekhela taking part in a drama called ‘Butle Rasephali, li kentse maoto ketaneng’. During those 90’s he was sent to the Embassy of Lesotho in Ethiopia, and proceeded to China,” Monyatsi said.

 Kau-La-Poho film was aimed at addressing burning issues on HIV prevention and encouraging behavioural change.  

Jokes played the role of Letata. He and his wife, Malitsietsi (played by Machomanyane Mefane) lived in an HIV and AIDS stricken village in the highlands of Lesotho.

In the film, Letata, an erstwhile miner is so scared of AIDS and shuns people living with HIV. Trying to eschew HIV and stress, he opts to desert his home and chaste wife. He leaves for Maseru City, to start a family with his old flame Lirontšo.

“His death has left a huge void. It’s true things are done by God, but I never expected that we would ever part ways. This is very difficult for me, especially after losing one other closest colleague of mine, Sello Motloung of South Africa, best remembered for his role in the Sajene Kokobela film.

“His legacy shall live on, he has inspired so many people,” Monyatsi concluded.

On his part, local producer and comedian Bofihla ‘Neko, known as ‘Lilaphalapha’, who also made a cameo appearance in Kau la Poho, said he had known Jokes in the early 2000s.

‘Neko described Jokes as a very disciplined person who was dedicated to his work.

“Much as he was a lawyer, he always respected other people especially his bosses at work. He was a jolly person who would seek to find solutions when there were difficult issues. His vision as a person was to see progress, especially in the arts fraternity.

“He loved the music a lot. He loved singing Ntate Stunna’s song ‘Ha ke tṧoare tṧoare basali ba batho’ and was his favourite.

“A very wise chap. I remember him advising one of his colleagues who wanted to break up with his fiancée over her cheating. He said the ‘devil you know is better than the angel you don’t know. I couldn’t understand what he meant at the time, but now I can tell you, those were the wisest words I ever heard,” ‘Neko said.