Botswana artist wins top Africa award
16 Aug 2025
Botswana artist, Naledi Maifala has won the 2025 ANNA Award, one of the prestigious accolades celebrating outstanding women artists from the African continent.
Content manager Bontle Mogodi from curatorial agency ReCurate, who works closely with Maifala, said in an interview that it was a monumental achievement for Maifala and for Botswana’s contemporary arts scene.
She said they were thrilled because they had seen her growth since she joined the family of artists earlier this year. Mogodi noted that Maifala's work stood out for its exploration of stillness and contentment.
“Her paintings have a quiet power. They resist the pressure to centre identity purely in political narratives, instead finding profound meaning in intimate, everyday moments," she said.
Mogodi mentioned that her victory followed her acclaimed showing at the RMB Latitudes Art Fair 2025, where she exhibited as part of the 'Botswana Focus' pavilion curated by ReCurate.
Her miniature neo-impressionistic paintings, she said, drew strong international interest, setting the stage for this recognition. Maifala first connected with ReCurate during its Rising Stars portfolio review in March.
“The moment we saw her work, we knew she had both the technical ability and the soul to touch people,” Mogodi recalled. “Her art carries warmth, depth, and a sincerity that’s rare.”
“I feel deeply humbled by this award. Truly, with God, anything is possible. This is a significant step forward in my career, especially as Botswana continues to grow within the art market. I hope this inspires other artists to think beyond borders and seek platforms that allow them to share their skills," Maifala said, reflecting on her work.
She began painting in 2007 during her school years but turned professional in 2022. Her works, under the theme: Just As Petals Fall, Life Too Fades, depict domestic animals, garden flowers, sentimental objects and serene figures, offering, a meditative space for emotional and spiritual well-being.
The ANNA Award, an initiative by Latitudes and ANNA Pure Organic, is a celebrated art prize dedicated to discovering, recognising, and nurturing a new generation of women artists from across the African continent.
Now, in its fourth year, the award is a testament to the commitment of both female-led South African brands to empower women in the creative industry across Africa. ENDS
Source : BOPA
Author : Bakang Wren
Location : Gaborone
Event : Interview
Date : 16 Aug 2025
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