22 Nov 2023

The Botswana Art Fair Association (BONAFA) chairperson, Kgari Mokgatlane has hailed the participation of art teachers in the Maun International Arts Festival (MIAF) as a welcome move that will stimulate art development. 

  Mokgatlane made the remarks when officially opening the exhibition to the public on Tuesday night appreciating that teachers did exceptionally well to make the exhibition a reality. 

He acknowledged that for a long time, only students had been taking part in the festival, but this time, teachers were given an opportunity to display their artistic and creative works during a spontaneous creativity session.

This is when a group of storytellers, poets and visual artists created artworks on a provided theme without prior preparations. 

Later, their artworks were displayed in the visual arts exhibition held at the Nhabe Museum. 

He said teachers demonstrated dedication and managed to showcase their creativity, diversity and produce quality art works and encouraged them to keep up the momentum and produce more during their leisure time to sustain themselves. 

“I have realised that some teachers are sitting on their talents and yet they can produce quality artworks to better their lives. I urge you not to only focus on teaching art but you should also explore your talents, nurture it and make a living out of it,” he added. 

He said it was essential that art teachers remain artists themselves, nurturing their work alongside their students. 

Mokgatlane encouraged other teachers who did not participate to up their game next year and bring their artworks. 

Association of Botswana Practical Subjects (ABOPRASU) also appreciated the teachers’ excellent performance and awarded them some medals as motivation. 

Meanwhile, the festival is an annual activity that takes place in Maun and organised by Poetavango.

Legodile Seganabeng,  Poetavango chairperson said they were celebrating their 10th anniversary and noted that the festival started small but it has now grown in leaps and bounds and gave credit to their partners for rallying behind them through thick and thin. 

“We had a difficult journey as we struggled to secure sponsors over the years but we did not lose hope and did our best despite the challenges. 

This year they secured sponsorship from the Orange Foundation to specifically support the music component during the festival. 

He also appreciated their partnership with BONAFA and the Motor Vehicle Accident (MVA) Fund. ENDS