11 Jul 2016

Some local artists have called for more exhibitions to be held in Maun in order to market their products and grow their businesses.

They said exhibitions are important part of the marketing activities and also give them an opportunity to get face to face with customers and potential future clients who remains an incredibly valuable tool for developing new businesses.

They made the plea in an interview after participating in a two day successful exhibition organised by the Indigo Trading Company owners, at the renovated Power Station complex in Maun.

 The company owners travel all over Africa to find selected handmade products and bring them to Botswana so that the public could appreciate and also take some artifacts from Botswana to market the country outside.

The local artists said exhibitions give them opportunities to penetrate both the local and international market.

One of the artists, Maipelo Moshebe of Craft Centre said they had made better profits at the exhibition as compared to selling from their place.

She said the exhibition gave them an exposure as many people visited their stall to appreciate their work while some bought some artifacts. Craft Centre specializes in pottery and hand-made crafts.

She also explained that most of the people who bought their products are tourists and Safari operators adding that the locals are still dragging their feet to buy locally made products because they feel they are expensive.

Moshebe explained that currently they had been working on orders but appreciated the efforts made by the Indigo Trading Company to invite the locals to be part of the exhibitions.

“We thank them because this exhibition gave as a platform to sell our business and now people know where they could find us”, she added.

She said it was not the first time to take part in exhibitions adding that they once showcased their products at the local museum. Their business is located in Maun near Botswana Power Corporation.

One of the organizers of the exhibition, Birgit Kohler said the objective of the exhibition was to showcase the work done in all corners of Africa including Botswana.

She said their company which has been existing for 25 years trades in handmade, contemporary, tribal and authentic cloth, jewellery and artifacts from all corners of the African continent. The products displayed ranged from arts, craft, pottery, sculptures, jewellery, paintings just to mention a few.

Kohler appreciated the fact that the exhibition was the first of its kind in Maun and has attracted most of the local artists. She also pointed out that it attracted many people who appreciated the work done in Africa.

 “The exhibition was a success as it was well publicised and the people were overwhelmed by the products produced in Africa as a whole,” she added. 

She said potential clients are lodges, interior designers, shops and the public at large. She also noted that another exhibition was once held in Gaborone at Sanitas and it was also successful.

The company owners intend to host another exhibition in Maun in future. ENDS