11 Sep 2017

Celebrations of the country’s 50 years of independence have come and gone. What remains visible though triggering memorable events of that day is the artistic impression by those who told the story of Botswana through art paintings.

Significant places in most of the villages were decorated with eye catching symbols of Botswana colours. Motokwe in the Letlhakeng West is one of the villages which still enjoy the beauty of art in the country’s blue black and white colours, thanks to the village’s art whizz Martin Gaatlale.

It seems the 28-year-old has always been destined to be an artist. A design and technology student at Motaung Junior Secondary School and Matsha College from 2002 to 2006, he recalled how during his school days he would even assist those who were taking art as a subject with their projects.

He confessed that the love of anything to do with creativity has always been part of him as he has never struggled to compose any artistic work.

“I have never done art. I just started at home and with time I was able to perfect my craft. In my pastime I will even draw cartoons mocking my friends and classmates during light moments,” he said.

That is why it was easy for him to take advantage of an opportunity that presented itself during preparations for the country’s independence day celebration in September last year. He set himself apart from the rest of his peers by offering his artistic services, a job he did with ease.

“I did almost all the artworks in the village as I like volunteering my services when it comes to anything related to art. I am the one who decorated the kgotla shelter and the primary school in preparations for Independence Day celebrations,” he said.

An artistic person by nature, he has always excelled in visual arts and music. But the Motokwe youth is still torn between which artistic paths to pursue between the two.

“I believe if I could have been nurtured and groomed at an early age I would have made strides. My plan is to go for further training to build my profile professionally.”

Each artist often find mediums they are comfortable working with and for Gaatlale he enjoys working with paint, wire, paper mache and wood work.

Taking stock of the art works he has done in his village besides the coat of arms at the kgotla, inscription of health awareness messages on public dustbins and map of Botswana on the kgotla shelter, Gaatlale recalls among others the clinic signage, logo for the primary school as well as branding tuck shops.

“I believe art is spiritual. Before I do some work, I have to conceptualise and visualise what I am going to do. Through art, I am communicating with the audience,” said the outspoken and fashionable youth who works at the village library under the Tirelo Setshaba programme.

Gaatlale credited his father for being gifted artistically. His father is a music composer and does handicrafts in the likes of wooden spoons and chairs. ENDS