02 Sep 2021

When Kgalaletso Gaborone decided to put on hold her artistic craft in favour of a Degree in Business Information System, little did she know that one day she will retrace her steps back to what was once her passion.

Based in Tlokweng and currently pursuing her studies at University of Botswana, the enterprising visual artist told BOPA in an interview that when social responsibilities started weighing heavily on her, she decided to revisit her talent to supplement her monthly allowance.

Gaborone’s craft explores abstract art and her end products includes coasters, wall hangings, trays, jewellery and key chains.

“I have always had passion for art at secondary school but I had to put it on hold due to academic commitments.

However, I have since rekindled it so as to make ends meet and I am happy about the profit outcomes so far,” she said.

Gaborone said although her craft seems to be an easy form of art that one could easily engage in, the reality was that it called for dedication, levels of creativity and a good sense of imagination to come up with appealing end products.

“Visual arts can be both physically and emotionally taxing as one has to engage the mind and soul so that the artworks captivates and keeps the audience engaged.

There should be content that flows well and be easy to interpret,” she said.

Besides art being a source of income for her, Gaborone had also engaged in art for emotional expression and to relief stress.

Gaborone credited her grandmother for financial support and her art teachers at secondary schools who believed in her potential and persuaded her not to abandon the talent.

She said though COVID-19 pandemic had pinned her business down, all was not lost as she continued to enjoy the benefits that came with the use of social media to market her products, which had now become accessible countrywide. ENDS