08 Oct 2025

Young animator Theo Silitshena has returned to Botswana with international deals that could transform local animation education, after completing the Mandela Washington Fellowship for Young African Leaders in the United States.

The Learn Animation Botswana founder trained under Rutgers University’s business leadership track in New Jersey before heading to New York, where he struck a collaboration with Titmouse Animation Studio, the creators of Star Trek: Lower Decks, Legend of Vox Machina and Kiff. In San Francisco, he secured further partnerships with the Walt Disney Family Museum and freelance animators who have worked with Pixar on films such as Onward.

Silitshena plans to launch a free animation programme in government secondary schools, with international partners mentoring students and helping deliver lessons. “We will run a three to six-month incubator where children submit art portfolios and an English composition. About 10 to 15  will be selected for training,” he said.

Within that period, he said participants would create a film and professional portfolios, which would be reviewed by Titmouse and the Disney Family Museum. 

The film is expected to be distributed by the San Francisco Film Organisation, with plans to sell it and earn the children a portion of the remuneration of their work.

“This is still in development, and we are looking to secure funding by next year. Animation is a billion-dollar industry. If we want to restart our economy, storytelling and animation are the way forward.” ENDS