23 Mar 2022

The Dubai Expo 2020 has left indelible mark on Botswana artists. Artists who attended the expo have expressed their appreciation and feel challenged to explore more and aim for quality. 

One of the artists, Fashion designer, Lesedi Matlapeng who made it to the show, to market and sell Botswana through her brand, Kef Seddy designs, thought the show rewarding and demanding. 

“I was invited by the Ministry of Youth, Empowerment, Sport and Culture Development and I must say the pace in Dubai is fast and challenges one to come out of their comfort zone,” she said. 

Her journey to the Arabic land known for luxurious goods and state of the art architecture she said was in collaboration with DeBeers Botswana which used her designs to go with the company’s Forevermark jewelry. Matlapeng reckons her presence at a show of that magnitude, featuring international models as Kaone Kario show her fashion line to a whole new level. 

“I had to sell the pants I was wearing because one international client pleaded with me to,” said Matlapeng. She said she got loads of orders from people she met, which she was working on and would have them shipped out once completed, adding that she now realised that it was time to have a shop that sold ready-made designs. 

There is always something impressive about such expos for every individual and for Matlapeng it was her meetings with fabric suppliers whom she said she would be working with especially that Botswana lacks in variety. 

“I’m into evening and wedding gear and have been experiencing challenges while in Botswana to get such fabrics therefore, networking with suppliers abroad is a breakthrough to me,” stated Matlapeng. 

Olebile Sedumedi or Maxy Khoisan as she is popularly known also got an opportunity to share her talent with the world in Dubai, a feat she does not take lightly. 

“This has taken my music brand to new heights and my followers on social media platforms have grown, thanks to the Dubai experience,” said Maxy. 

Her live performance alongside other local artists among them trumpeter, composer and guitarist Ndingo Jowa during a Botswana Cultural Night attended by President, Mokgweetsi Masisi, stands out for her. 

“Having performed before global leaders and people from over 192 countries has marketed Botswana’s rich music and culture,” stated Maxy. She encouraged other musicians to avail their work online now that the Dubai Expo has put Botswana’s talent on the international map. Ends