17 Jun 2019

First National Bank (Francistown) general manager, Lucky Bogopa says President’s day fashion show competition has grown in leaps and bounds since its inception in 2013.

Speaking during the fashion show competitions in Francistown on June 15, he said the competition now attracts artists from as far as Chobe, North East, Central and Francistown districts.

“Artists from the northern region that is from North West, Chobe, North East, Central and Francistown districts are scouted to compete here where the winners will represent us at a national level in Gaborone,” he added.

He further stated that government through the Ministry of Youth Empowerment, Sports and Culture Development, promotes the development of the arts with its various programmes.

He said cited as examples, the arts and crafts exhibitions, arts and culture grant, constituency arts competitions, and President’s day competitions.

Bogopa further indicated that quite a sizable number of artist and cultural organisations had already benefited from the initiatives.

Furthermore, Bogopa explained that the National Vision 2036 envisages a sustainable economic development by the year 2036 adding that given a chance, and with the right conditions and mindset, modelling, fashion and designs and dressmaking have the potential to achieve the goal.

“This therefore calls for concerted efforts by all to achieve the above,” he added.

Bogopa also challenged the private sector to consider investing in the fashion industry as a fundamental contributor in the diversification of the economy.

He encouraged the fashion designers to acquaint themselves with the latest fashion trends and produce clothing that could compete in international markets.

The competitions which were held under the theme; Creative Industry, a Vehicle for Sustainable Development, was a platform for fashion designers and models to address challenges bedeviling the city.

The competitions were divided into three categories of fashion and design, modelling and hairdressing.

The best three that were selected to represent the Francistown region at the fashion design and dress making category at the nationals slated for July 12 in Gaborone are Naome Chillis of Tati Siding, Khumo Nsala of Francistown and Matlhogonolo Lesego of Palapye.

In the dressmaking category, Malebogo Maabanyane of Francistown scooped position one followed by Onalenna Mosinki of Francistown while position three went to Julia Kwele of Kasane.

The hairdressing category (male) saw Johnson Chabalala being crowned the overall winner, followed by Thom Vatsima and Letlhogonolo Pilane, all from Francistown.

Refilwe Motlatso of Bobonong scooped position one under the female hairdressing category.ENDS