Greenland, 19, scoops BTCL best Directory cover design

An ecstatic 19 year-old Mitchell Greenland is the winner of the 2016 BTCL Telephone Directory Cover design competition. The cover, which particularly illustrates the strides that Botswana has achieved in technology since gaining independence, was unveiled Thursday evening at Thapong Visual Arts Centre in Gaborone.

His concept, theme and how he brought them to life is what set him apart from the many other entrants gunning for the ultimate P80 000 prize money and the opportunity to have his design cover adorn many homes and businesses across the country. Interestingly enough about Greenland’s work is that long before he was crowned the winner, many who had an eye for design had already crowned him the winner.

The young artist who is destined for great things was all smiles and had very little to say that evening. He noted that he was grateful for the opportunity to see his winning design being distributed throughout the country. He is seconded by Aobakwe Letamo (of Lotsane Senior Secondary School) and Soft Motswara (of ABM University) came third. Letamo pocketed P60 000, and Motswara walked home with P50 000.

One of the judges Ofimile Montsiemang explained that they shortlisted 21 artworks, which were cut to the final 10. He said they were looking for original, adaptable (designs that can be redesigned to fit cover) as well as a piece that illustrated that the designer had a good understanding of the theme.
He said that the final 10 designers all had stories to tell but that the winning cover summed up the story, in a winning and uncluttered manner. He encouraged Art teachers to assist the learners when it comes to working on their concepts. “You must help them to learn how to engage through their artworks and tell a winning story,” he said.

Chairperson of the BOT 50 committee, Boyce Sebetela said that a number of the young artists would be exposed to an international workshop and that as the road to the 50th celebrations of Botswana intensified, they were planning to come up with initiatives that would benefit the youth of the country. “We expect to do more next year. We are looking for partners in poetry and essay writing which will be part of the celebrations,” said Sebetela.