05 Nov 2026

Refilwe Mogano is turning her passion for the arts into a platform to transform Botswana’s creative landscape by giving emerging artists opportunities to showcase their talents and have their stories heard.

Popularly known by her stage name Africa, Mogano said the idea emerged from personal reflection about her purpose and how she could use her passion for art and working with people to make a meaningful contribution to society.

Through her initiative: Creatives and Canvas, the young multidisciplinary artist is working to bridge the gap between creative talent and opportunities, bringing together poetry, fine art, music and theatre under one platform.

For Mogano, the initiative is more than an artistic project; it is a purpose-driven undertaking rooted in her love for Africa, its people and the creative industry.

“I love art, I love working with people, and I want to help others. I have been privileged to have platforms, great role models and an amazing support system that helped me grow, but I realised that many artists do not have the same opportunities,” she said.

She observed that talented creatives often produce outstanding work that remained undiscovered because they lacked platforms to exhibit, perform and connect with audiences.

Determined to address challenge, Mogano established Creatives and Canvas as a non-profit initiative designed to nurture talent, encourage collaboration and create visibility for emerging artists.

“What truly matters is having access to platforms and a strong support system. Every artist deserves a space where they can nurture their creativity and share their work because every story needs to be heard,” she said.

Unlike conventional platforms that predominantly focus on poetry performances, Creatives and Canvas embraces a multidisciplinary approach, providing space for artists from different creative fields to interact, learn and showcase their work.

Mogano believes Botswana’s creative industry has significant economic potential, arguing that art should be recognised as more than a hobby.

“Culturally, young creatives in Botswana face the stigma that art is just a hobby rather than a real career. Creatives and Canvas seeks to dismantle that perception by giving artists a professional platform to prove that their work has real value,” she said.

Her interest in poetry began in primary school through English lessons before developing into a deeper appreciation of literary techniques, figurative language and poetic devices.

Today, she identifies as a poet, fine artist, photographer and multidisciplinary creative, while pursuing a Bachelor of Arts in Social Sciences, majoring in Public Administration and Sociology.

She views her academic background and artistic interests as complementary, particularly in her ambition to contribute to policies that support young people and the creative sector.

Looking ahead, Mogano hopes to see Botswana’s creatives transform their talents into sustainable sources of income, contributing to cultural preservation and national economic development.

She maintain that young artists must also take personal responsibility for pursuing their ambitions rather than waiting for opportunities to come their way.

“Put yourself out there, actively pursue your dream and live every day like you are already the person you want to become,” she advised.  Through Creatives and Canvas, Mogano is determined to ensure that Botswana’s artistic voices are not confined to notebooks, studios or rehearsal spaces, but are given the recognition, platforms and opportunities they deserve.  ENDS