03 Mar 2014

The Okavango Sub-district has proved to be the bedrock of crafts as evidenced by a combined P566, 195 from the sales of crafts that was realised from the 2013 President’s Day competitions.

Officiating at the arts activity day on March 1 the assistant council secretary, Mogomotsi Seemule said the money came from baskets sales.

She explained that the district continued to excel as three artists from Okavango were sponsored on arts and crafts cultural exchange programmes and workshops in Chile, China and Australia in 2013.

Seemule also said for the continuity of the preservation of Okavango arts and culture, artists need the support from all. “This would not only preserve its uniqueness but also continue the legacy as well as empower them economically.’’ She said.

She said they had observed that the crafts industry in Okavango was mostly dominated by the elderly, therefore she encouraged the youth to learn the art.

Kgosi Jakoba Seidisa said people who were gifted in arts and crafts should not be dependent on government, but instead, they must find ways of making a living out of their talents.

Seemule said that he believes God has given everyone a talent; therefore people should strive to work on that to build a better nation that had learnt to be independent. The celebration was graced by different groups showcasing arts and culture in Okavango. ENDS