09 Feb 2016

It is said that an artist’s world is limitless and can be found anywhere, far from where he lives or just a few feet from his doorstep. 

This statement suits the life of 23-year-old Laone Ditshego who is using his artistic skills to put food on the table. 

The Mahalapye born and bred young man is a DJ, a graphic designer, a photographer and an amazing artist. 

Ditshego, a self-taught artist, said it did not take him long to realise that he can make money out of his talents and jumped on the opportunity as soon as he completed senior school.

He has since opened a business with a few partners that provides among other things graphic and photographic services. 

He said he never went to a tertiary institution to acquire any of the skills he has, and started drawing at school with the support of his teachers and never stopped.

He also learnt to do graphics at senior school and took free lessons online to add on to the little he knew. His busy schedule is evidence that he has become one of the best service providers around town.

Ditshego said he has done portraits of the late former Mahalapye West MP, Lt Gen. Mompati Merafhe,  Solly Reikeletseng and Joseph Molefhe, the current MP of Mahalapye West. 

He said he is glad that he ventured into business as getting a job is not easy these days. 

“Even though things are not easy and business coming with a lot of challenges, it is quite promising that at the end my dreams will be realised,” he said.

Ditshego said he failed to get funding through the Youth Development Fund, but that it never discouraged him from doing what he loves and trying to create his legacy.

He explained that with the work he is putting into making customers happy, advertising and marketing his services, he believes that in the next two years, his business would be a household name across the country as he is already receiving support from the community. 

Ditshego does not only make money out of pictures, he is also a DJ who has played on the most popular local music show, Orange Flava Dome in 2014.

He had his first encounter with the decks when he was only 13 years after completing his primary school education. 

He won the first annual battle of DJ’s in Serowe when he was 17-years-old  and has been playing at several events across the country. 

“DJ Gouviea has always been my inspiration and it is a great honour to have played alongside him and other renowned DJ’s,” he said.

Ditshego said he has made it a habit to learn something new every time which proves that indeed an artist’s world is limitless.

Furthermore, he encouraged his fellow youth who are unemployed to quit wandering the streets and invest in their talents as it is the best employment one can ever get, stating that their being idle will only result in getting them into trouble. ENDS