15 Dec 2022

Following a two-year-battle with COVID-19, things started looking up for the creative industry in 2022.

Several events were held locally and internationally and Batswana creatives participated, gaining the much needed exposure.

One such event is the Expo 2020 Dubai where  Botswana joined 191 countries in Dubai  to promote investments,creativity, innovation, humanity and cultures.

One of Botswana’s renowned fashion designers Lesedi Matlapeng had the opportunity to market Botswana at the expo through her designs.

Artistes among them songstress Olebile Sedumedi alias Maxy Khoisan impressed the expo patrons with traditional and Khoisan tunes.  

Botswana hosted The Forbes Under 30 Summit in April,  the first time the summit was held in Africa.

The world’s young entrepreneurs and game-changers convened in Botswana and the African Fashion International hosted a fashion experience in Kasane where designer Mothusi Lesolle’s IZaura collection showcased.

Local designers couple Candida and Wedu Montsho of DIHDAH also showcased their latest collection titled  Diamonds of the Desert, which was inspired by Batswana’s strength and resilience, as well as its most valued stone, the Botswana Diamond.

Local entertainers are set to win big following a Memorandum of Understanding the Department of Broadcasting Services signed the Copyright Society of Botswana on the royalty rights of the artistes through which DBS committed itself to 80/20 ratio in favour of local content.

 “This cooperation means that we will at least play 80 per cent local music, 20 per cent international therefore recognising the efforts of local artists,” Director Raymond Tsheko said.

Pageantry sector had a series of goodnews as nine-year old Little Miss Idol Botswana Kimberly Matheakgomo scooped Miss Idol title in Dubai in June.

In October Palesa Molefe handed the Miss Botswana baton to Lesego Chombo from Maun and for the first time in the history of Botswana Miss World graced the Miss Botswana beauty pageant. Miss World Karolina Bielawska graced the pageant activities and finale.

Mrs African World Pageantry was launched in Botswana in May and the winner Daphney Muzila is in Las Vegas America for the finale. By establishing the pageant, directors Jennifer Setapenyane and her business associate Thato Monei, said they wanted to cater for fierce and intelligent married women.

Botswana’s UK based award winning poet TJawanga Dema released a book. an/other pastoral, which was listed for the 2022 UK Poetry Book Awards  and was a finalist for  Aidoo-Snyder Book Awards.

Former Generation Star Lerato Motshwarakgole facilitated a workshop dubbed Project Kgodiso funded by the First National Bank Foundation at Thapong where she implored artistes to use their skills to access markets outside Botswana as a way to insert the local art into the luxury markets across the globe.

The long awaited Gabs July came, kicking off with a fashion show featuring among other designers, South Africa’s David Tlale .

Exclusive Books celebrated 20 years in Botswana in style and Batswana authors who had the opportunity to list their work with the store commended them for supporting local talent and for giving it exposure.

Botswana Sip & Plan founder Tefo Atholang partnered with Namibian lifestyle Organisations, Articulate Communications and Pamper Me to host a Midyear Intention Setting Session in Windhoek.

Three South African Actors and Filmmakers Reality Television Star and Actress innocent Sadiki, SA Multi award winning actor, Kagiso Modupe and actor and film maker Matli Mohapeloa graced the Masterclass meeting for local filmmakers to share tips on the industry. 

Sereetsi &the Natives’s latest hit single Petere continued to top the charts in all Botswana radio stations since its release in August.

Three Batswana Designers Seneo Moji of Kaylamieel designs, Lebo Merafhe and Nguo by Tumie Mogoasa showcased at African Fashion International Johanessburg edition. Sustainable label Kaylaamiel Creations wowed the fashionistas at the event with her cotton and viscose collection which had a dash of giraffe print in pink and blue pastels. 

Vice President Slumber Tsogwane officially opened the International Youth Festival, describing the youth as the custodians of the future of Botswana.

After two years of no activities and outings scores of Batswana attended a series of events among them ATI, Franco, Charma Gal and Vee Mampeezy’s one man’s shows. ENDs