From Scrap metal to Timeless art
28 Jul 2026
FROM SCRAP METAL TO TIMELESS ART
What many people see as useless scrap metal, Charles Kakomee sees as a canvas of endless possibilities.
Armed with creativity, skill and a welding torch, the artist popularly known as Tjeja or Charlie breathes new life into discarded metal pieces, transforming them into eye-catching sculptures that tell stories of resilience, history and imagination.
Born in Kareng and now based in Karakubis in the Charles Hill District, Kakomee’s artistic journey began in childhood, nurtured by a family of craftsmen.
His grandfather and two sons, including his late father, were skilled in wood carving and craft-making, while his father’s expertise in welding and metal fabrication introduced him to the foundations of metal work.
After graduating with a Diploma in Secondary Education in 2010, majoring in Art and minoring in Music, he eventually left teaching to pursue his lifelong dream of becoming a full-time artist.
Today, he uses repurposed metal to create sculptures that not only celebrate creativity but also promote environmental responsibility by turning discarded materials into meaningful works of art.
Among his growing collection, his favourite is "Lady Kruiser," an intricate three-dimensional model of a Toyota LX Land Cruiser double cab painstakingly assembled from thousands of scrap metal pieces.
Measuring 110 centimetres wide, 90 centimetres high and 2.3 metres long, the sculpture has earned admiration from audiences both in Botswana and abroad.
"Looking at this piece and the feedback I'm getting from audiences, both at home and abroad, Lady Kruiser is a clear indication of how far I have come as a metal art sculptor," he says. ENDS
Source : BOPA
Author : Taboka Ngwako
Location : Gaborone
Event : Interview
Date : 28 Jul 2026
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