16 Aug 2020

Gaborone Central Member of Parliament, Mr Tumisang Healy promised Thapong Visual Arts Centre artists that he will engage with them more beyond the COVID-19 era.

He said when handing over food hampers to some artists at the Thapong Visual Arts Centre. He said the gesture was made possible through donations from councillors and Gaborone City Council mayor.

He pointed out that they could have long donated food hampers, but were delayed by a lockdown.

Out of the 800 artists registered with Thapong Visual Arts Centre, they managed to donate food hampers to 50, adding that some of the artists had already received food hampers from social workers.

One of the leading artists, Mr Joseph Piet said they appreciated the donation because they had been struggling to provide for their families due to the pandemic.

He said though they were having a hard time making ends meet, they had learnt a lesson that in future, they need to invest their money wisely to cater for hard times.

He said they largely depend on tourists and individuals to buy their artwork but due to the COVID-19, they had been struggling as their customers were not allowed in Botswana.

He said it is for that reason that they need to have other avenues of making money rather than just focusing in one source of income.

Thapong Visual Arts Centre coordinator, Mr Reginald Bakwena also echoed the same sentiments as that of Mr Piet that most of their artists were negatively affected by the pandemic because they relied heavily on tourists.

He promised the donors that they would be transparent when selecting those who qualify to be assisted with food hampers. Mr Bakwena said they would ensure that those who qualify were in good standing with the centre. ENDS