29 Dec 2014

The year is about to end, and it is the right time for BOPA to reflect on the highs and lows experienced in Botswana’s creative arts industry this year.

With the year winding down, the people in the creative arts industry will have a time to reflect on what they did and what they need to do next year to move to that next level of artistry.There were more positives in the creative arts industry than negatives and those that put the country on the map internationally deserve extra credit for their exploits.

Two people stood out in 2014 and it was none other than Tsholofelo Dikobe and Nature Inger.Tsholo, as she is popularly known within the fashion industry, was named brand ambassador for Africa Fashion Week London (AFWL) 2014, and also got to showcase and brand Botswana’s fashion in London.She went to London for the fashion week, did her thing and got amazing reviews along with her fashion company GaTsh Fros and one can only wish she will build on her 2014 highlights to have an even magnificent 2015.

Nature Inger also did Botswana proud when she won the Miss World Super Model title in Fiji and showed the world she could compete with the best.It is such talent that needs to be celebrated and unearthed for the world to see and in turn beautiful women like Nature are showing those that are still skeptical that modelling can be a career, even for a Motswana girl.The Nature Ingers of Botswana needs to be celebrated and given the support and platform they need to make it big in the world of modelling, and that support needs to start at home.

Other positives of the year include the refurbished and revamped Thapong Visual Arts Centre.Special thanks should go to the Ministry of Youth, Sport and Culture, Diamond Trading Company Botswana, Collegium Publishers, FNB Foundation, Plascon and Mascom for the support they rendered to Thapong Visual Arts Centre.

This is where the crème dele crème of visual art resides and as such the sector is growing and people can earn awards with their God-given talent.Young artists have also been urged to subscribe to Thapong Visual Arts Centre so as to enjoy the benefits that come with membership.

Also, corporate organisations have been urged to help with sponsorship and support local artists to help them establish and sell their products.It must be said that the Thapong Artist of The Year Award recipient, Obed Mokhuhlani also ended the year on a high note when he won himself P35 000.

The other highlights of the year were shows that were organised by Batswana, which brought top notch performers to the country and in turn delivered unequivocal entertainment to music lovers.Firstly, one has to applaud Dj Fauz for his All Hip Hop show that brought together hip hop artistes from Botswana and South Africa and the manner in which the event was organised.With the only hiccup being the event starting a bit late, everything else was on point.

Secondly, one has to applaud Massie Hule for putting together the Motswako Invasion, the first of its kind in Botswana. Well established Motswako artistes from both Botswana and South Africa convened at the newly built Molapo Piazza and dished out world class entertainment.

Another highlight of 2014 was the inaugural Yarona FM Music Awards (YAMAs) which artistes welcomed, saying it was long overdue and would be an alternative to BOMU musician awards.Also, Dj King, a young lad from Francistown, won the Miller Genuine Draft Dj Competition and was sent on an all-expenses paid trip to Las Vegas to represent Botswana at a high end Dj competition.

2014 also had some pretty sad events that shook the creative arts industry. Another artiste who has all the reasons to celebrate the year 2014 is Vee, upon whom Lady Luck smiled and tied the knot with Kagiso mid June.

On a low note, Kenneth Nkomo, actor in the renowned Botswana Police Service drama, Brooks Monnaanoka, RB1 radio veteran and Laona Segaetsho, former RB1 journalist, had their lives cut short.They will all solely be missed for their individual brilliance and what they brought to their respective careers and we can only keep their respective families in our prayers for them to be strong and keep their faith in God.

Other lows of the year included the spat between The Hamptons Promoters and Freshlyground, a South African musical group, who failed to honour their performance in Botswana.The spat between the two camps even found its way to social media, but at the end of the day, both camps made up and Freshlyground ended up performing at Botswanacraft to make up for their non-show.

ATI, local hip hop artist also had a run in with the law as he was accused of kidnapping a promoter. The issue was later resolved as he was acquitted on the charges.The year was good to some, fair to others, bad to most, but at the end of the day, people should be grateful to be alive.

Some had been unfortunate and have gone to meet their creator and in short, it is not about who did what in 2014, but rather the fact that one is still alive.Those that felt they could have done better, you have 2015 to look forward to and do your best, at least you have the chance to try again.

All in all, the creative arts industry has grown in Botswana over the years, some may have not been mentioned, but that does not mean what they are doing is insignificant. Keep pushing and striving to be the best you can be, have a Merry Christmas and a Prosperous New Year. Ends