18 Feb 2025

Learn Animation Botswana, a local company committed to advancing animation education and industry development in Botswana, has urged the government to recognise and invest in the creative sector.

The animation industry in Botswana is gaining momentum, poised to reshape the creative landscape with companies like Cornhouse Animation Studios and Tshwantsha Animation Studios leading the charge. Learn Animation (Pty) Ltd stands out as a unique entity, providing essential animation education in Botswana.

However, like many animation companies in the country, it faces significant growing pains that are part of the industry's development.

“Our greatest challenge is spreading the word about our services and securing funding for our projects. For example, we need funding for a master class that will help traditional artists transition to digital art,” said Theo Silitshena, the 27-year-old director and lead instructor of the company.

Silitshena described the animation industry as a crucial economic sector and an effective means of combating youth unemployment in Botswana. He emphasised that the industry enabled individuals to contribute to international projects from anywhere.

“I have recently had an opportunity to work with a USA-based animation company, Studio Moyo, as an animation writer,” Silitshena said.

He explained that one of the greatest advantages of government support for animation was its multifaceted nature, pointing that many jobs could come out of a single animation project such as storyboard artists, colour artists, voice actors, singers, instrumentalists, and many others.

Silitshena said Botswana possessed tremendous potential to compete in this industry, “but we need government support to develop the necessary infrastructure and training programmes.” ENDS