22 Aug 2018

Botswana’s Netflix star, Mmina Gaebonwe has been appointed Art and Creativity Global Ambassador for Brand Botswana.

Speaking in an interview, the Paris -based actress, model and humanitarian said she received the appointment after reaching out to Brand Botswana and sharing her work, passion and vision as a young Motswana passionate about the arts and had over the years worked to engage and promote local artistes.

With her global reach and familiarity with the international art market, Gaebonwe stated that she wanted to dedicate her work to exposing Botswana artists to the international market.

“The goal is to help Batswana artists produce work that is globally competitive, and that can appeal to the international buyer,” said Gaebonwe.

Having founded the Annual Art & Creatives Workshop a couple of years back for the sole reason of nurturing and exposing Botswana talent, Gaebonwe said there was so much talent in Botswana but it was unfortunate that Botswana artists were finding it difficult to turn their creativity into a profitable enterprise.

She said art was something she always had a passion for.

“As I travelled the world over the years I visited a lot of galleries.

I am always fascinated by how artists use different media to express themselves and create something that they can share with the world.

I want to use my ambassadorship to carve out a space for Botswana artists in the world,” said the enigmatic model.

She stated that with all the challenges she had to overcome while working as an independent entity for the past few years, her partnership with Brand Botswana was a much needed shot in the arm.

“I am truly happy that we have an organisation that recognises the importance of art and creativity as an aspect of youth development, especially in a time where we are looking towards economic diversification.

 I have always believed that the youth are Botswana’s greatest assets and to play a role in moving the country’s next best exports forward is truly a blessing,” she said.

Gaebonwe noted that creativity on its own was a great skill to have but it meant nothing when one could not turn it into a product that could be sold.

She indicated that young Batswana could learn from the art scenes in countries like Japan which were leaders in innovation.

“I honestly believe that we have a Picasso or a Frieda Kahlo in Botswana. We need to find them and give them the platform to become great,” she said.

Gaebonwe decried the lack of women participating in the art and creative sector, noting that at her last Art & Creatives Workshop there were no women exhibitors.She urged women artists to reach out to her and submit their works so she could help them gain visibility in the art world.

Gaebonwe started modelling at the age of 16 and became the first winner of Gemstones Model Search competition at 18 and was on her way to New York to work with the biggest agencies in the world, Wilhelmina Model Agency and the rest as they say, is history. ENDS