09 Sep 2015

Little did he know that the drawings he made on the ground would today put bread on the table. At a youth boot camp in Pandamatenga in 2012, it finally hit 23-year-old Mr Joseph Raseme that he can earn a living through art. He then registered a company called JS Signs that does t-shirt printing, signage, drawings and illustrations.

His client base includes pre-schools, hair salons and shops. He employs two people. He has done work outside Molepolole, notably painting Kgalagadi Brewery Limited (K BL) depots in Kgatleng.

“Most people admire my work. No one passes by it without asking who the artist is,” he says.

His charges depend on the size and location of the job. He always stockpiles on materials so as to be able to deliver quality work at the shortest notices. He urges the government to engage youth in its projects so as to arrest crime levels in the country. He observes that while some youths have talents that could economically sustain them, they were still intent on seeking employment.

He encourages fellow youths to work hard and persevere with their dreams. He believes that one day his company would be engaged to do artworks for schools, hospitals and major telecommunications companies.

Mr Raseme said he was planning on opening an office where customers could easily find him. He said they sometimes fail to reach him on his mobile phone as he was always away, at times in areas with poor network. Ends