Detective effective
'I want you to have your own business,' he said to her on his death bed. 'You'll get a good price for the cattle now. Sell them and buy a business. A butchery maybe. A bottle store. Whatever you like.'
"It was difficult to talk through her tears, but she managed to say: 'I'm going to set up a detective agency. Down in Gaborone. It will be the best one in Botswana. The No. 1 Agency'.
"For a moment, her father's eyes opened wide and it seemed as if he was struggling to speak. 'But but ' But he died before he could say anything more "
And so it was that Precious Ramotswe set about becoming the first - and only female - detective in all of what was once known as The Bechuanaland Protectorate.
Having spent her childhood in the Botswana bush under the watchful and ever-guiding eye of her beloved dad, Mma Ramotswe learnt to use her senses while simultaneously developing a strong sense of patience, which facilitated her ability to crack the various nature-born riddles that surround her.
A warm woman who has suffered personal hardship, with an unwavering adoration for her country and its people, Precious's decision to become a detective was spurred on by what she regards as "my duty to help them solve the mysteries in their lives. That is what I am called to do".
Based on the bestselling novels of the same name by internationally acclaimed author, Alexander McCall Smith, The No. 1 Ladies Detective Agency features some of South Africa's top talents, including Desmond Dube (whose flamboyant portrayal of the male hairdresser BK will leave you chuckling at every turn), Tumisho Masha, the unparallelled John Kani, Brenda Ngxoli, Kenneth Nkosi as well as Keketso Semoko.
Given that The No. 1 Ladies Detective Agency is first and foremost an African story, it may be disappointing to some that producers turned to US soil when searching for their leading lady - and an R&B singer cum songwriter at that!
Nevertheless, Jill Scott's performance is sure to silence potential detractors, with one UK critic describing it as one which "effortlessly captures the blend of wisdom, compassion and understated humour that has made Precious Ramotswe such a popular creation".
The concept of a female sleuth is certainly not a novel one in small screen circles. But while the likes of Jessica Fletcher (Murder She Wrote), Miss Marple and the Nancy Drew-inspired Veronica Mars's meddlings were spurred by actual illegal activities, Mma Ramotswe's endeavours have less to do with crime-busting than they do community building.
"She's somebody who has a very sound, intuitive knowledge of what's what. And she has a very straightforward approach to solving things - she takes the view that if you want to find out something, go and ask somebody and they'll give you the answer ," explains Smith.
"The little amusing incidents (she encounters) are capable of saying a great deal. One can make really profound observations about the world without having to resort to this tough and violent and distressing stuff."
And Alexander drives the point by choosing to include quirky characters such as Precious's devoted, but highly-strung secretary, Grace Makutsi (who is brilliantly rendered by Anika Noni Rose).
The No. 1 Ladies Detective Agency TV series was shot on location and is the first major production to be undertaken in Botswana. Initially envisioned as a feature-length film, the project had the Oscar-winning Anthony Minghella (The English Patient) at its directorial helm.
Asked what he and the late Minghella would like audiences to take away from the series, Smith said: "That we can learn from this particular African society. If it somehow manages to persuade people that a gentle approach to life is possible, is feasible, that it exists, then that's fine Also, I feel quite strongly about Mma Ramotswe's great attachment to the value of forgiveness.
"She doesn't believe in punishing people and making life difficult for them I'd very much hope people might pick that up."
- No. 1 Ladies Detective Agency starts on Monday, August 3, on M-Net at 9.30pm.