BIHL sponsors five categories at the tune of P50 000
GOSEGO MOTSUMI
The official opening of the President’s Day Celebrations National Art, Basket and Craft Exhibition at the National Museum in Gaborone saw the BIHL Trust sponsoring five categories at this year’s ninenth exhibition which will be open until 31st July 2016.
The Trust, comprising support from BIHL Group and subsidiaries Bifm, Legal Guard and Botswana Life, sponsored the Traditional Pottery, Beadwork, Basket Weaving, Lekgapo, and Leatherworks. The sponsorship comprised prize money of P50 000 for 1st position for each of the five categories.
“The sheer calibre of artistic talent in Botswana is at once incredible and awe-inspiring. To walk through the gallery at the National Museum, you’re instinctively filled with pride and patriotism, as we come together to celebrate the skill, heritage and talent that our artists show in their pieces,” said BIHL Trust Administrator, Tebogo Keepetsoe.
The sponsorship came as part of the wider President’s Day celebrations, which also saw the sponsorship of a Heritage Trail along Independence Avenue. Among some of the winners were Dipuo Motswasele (1st prize in Beadwork), Mmamontshonyana Ditshekiso (1st prize in Traditional Pottery), Emmanuel Mhaladi (1st prize in Leatherwork), Ikageng Marumo (1st prize in Basketwork) and Mojuta Oagile (1st prize in Woodcarving).
Officiating at the event- the Ambassador of France to Botswana, Anne De La Blache, said as a result of these competitions and participation in regional and international participation, artists have realized their career paths, improved their livelihoods and made a contribution to Botswana’s cultural heritage and economy.
BIHL Trustee, Ngwatshi Enyatseng expressed the thrill they have for supporting the arts sector. “Last year, we worked with Thapong Visual Arts and its network of sculptors and artists for the #RhinosInTheCity project, and this year we are excited to extend this passion for the arts into a different avenue,” he said, adding that sponsoring the National Art, Basket and Craft Exhibition is their way of exposing themselves, fellow corporates and individuals to the raw talent of Botswana’s creative talent, as they seek to celebrate and grow artistic platforms ever further.
The National Art, Basket and Craft Exhibition is an annual platform that aims to recognize and grow local talent across a myriad of disciplines. The 2016 competitions started in May, with regional competitions held in Kasane, Serowe, Gaborone, Selebi Phikwe, Ghanzi, Tshabong, Hukuntsi, Molepolole, Kanye, Mochudi, Francistown and Maun.