30 Jan 2019

A 25-year-old student at the University of Botswana, Wabatsha Nfila, lives his dream of showing his artistic skills to the public by doing fine arts.

Nfila is a final year BSC civil engineering student who was born in Zwenshambe and grew up in Mahalapye where he attended his primary to senior school.

He said it all started at a young age when he would draw cartoons without realising there was a skill. His potential was recognised by some of his teachers at Standard 4 after winning a school drawing competition.

He continued with the passion for arts at junior and senior school where he did art and passed with grade A at both levels.

After passing both arts and sciences at senior school, Nfila said he decided to pursue a science course as per his parents’ wish, hence he went for engineering.

However, he said his love for arts did not stop and he continued with the passion on the side and commercialised it in 2015.

“It is not that easier to do them both, it is a bit difficult and sometimes my performance at school drops. Otherwise, I manage because  I am gifted on both academics and arts so I can cope well with both.”

Some of the works he does include drawing on screen walls, decorating both new and old shoes by drawing cartoons, emoji’s and also drawing on clothes such as jeans, T-shirts as well as jackets.

Describing the message behind his artistic work, Nfila noted that the inspiration came from the depression he was once diagnosed with. He also described depression as “sad emotions.”

He said he uses facial expressions such as teary eyes and frown faces to send messages about sadness.

Behind the sad emotions, he said he sends out some positive messages and poems dedicated to those who were going through tough times to show that there was “light at the end of the tunnel.”

Nfila also said the reception for his artworks has been heart-warming and bearing fruit, adding that the demand was good and that he would make enough money to even pay his rent.

Like any other business, he said he experiences challenges and that at one point he tried to partner with others to sell some of the works he made, but that they disappeared with the proceeds.

He said he then decided to go solo and that since he has completed his studies, he would give the artwork business enough attention as well as make it professional.

Nfila also said his dream was to see his work going international and competing in the market, adding that he was also hoping to do interior design.

He added that he was also looking forward to making a documentary for other artists to tell their stories.  

Giving a word of encouragement to fellow youth who have passion for the arts and want to make a living out of it, Nfila said they should be patient and have a sense of originality.

“As much as the market is saturated, the saturation is caused by imitating others or crowding into similar things,” he said.

He advised them to be unique in everything they did as well as to perfect their craft.

Furthermore, the talented Nfila highlighted the importance of school as he believes that knowledge is an investment which cannot be taken away.

He urged those still at primary, junior and senior level, who are inspired by his work, to take it step by step. ENDS