‘Ta enda’ captures the journey of a blog

 

The magazine titled “TA ENDA”, which is Kalanga for “I journeyed” or “the journey”, was conceptualized by Banana Emoji blog’s curator Tanlume Enyatseng and designed through the collaborative efforts of The Black Tip Crew and John Boatile with a special print sponsorship from St Louis Lager.

This was revealed in a Press Release by local Artivism blog, Banana Emoji which celebrated two years after its inception. Speaking on the blog’s journey, Banana Emoji’s curator Tanlume Enyatseng said, “It has been an exciting two years creating on this platform. As bizarre as this may sound to admit, I believe my greatest strength and joy has been my arrogance and naiveite and that comes with the freedom of self-publishing. I have made every single decision based on what I like before thinking about how it will be perceived. I have just been listening to my creative needs in terms of expression. I’ve missed my own deadlines.

I’ve taken pictures smoking and shooting toy guns. I wrote a blog post about loving boys. But this all has contributed to the Banana Emoji magic and has set the brand apart from the pack”  The foldable magazine also pays homage to all the creatives that have contributed to the site, with a special illustrated page dedicated to the many faces or rather ‘friends of Banana Emoji’, titled Bakwinya, a Kalanga word meaning friends. These artists include Giancarlo Calameo Laguerta, Tebogo Cranwell, Glotto, Eugene Hilton, Paul Shiakalis, Trotse Tert, Nao Serati, Ugh Dan, John Boatile and Black Tip Crew.

Speaking on the brand’s decision to lend support to this project, Kgalagadi Breweries Limited Marketing Manager Botswana Kgomotso Garebakwena said, “Our decision to sponsor the printing of this project was purely born out of our support of the local creative minds of Botswana. The magazine is not a product of St Louis Lager and is not about us but about collaborating with local, talented artists, visionaries and creatives. It is about celebrating 100% proudly local excellence.”

The limited-edition publication will be distributed for free via several local business not limited to but including; Mmamontle, Café Dijo and Culture Art Caffe. A full detailed list will be shared on the Banana Emoji Facebook page. Concluded Enyatseng, “I am forever grateful to all the collaborators who have dedicated their time and talent to Banana Emoji, most times without pay. The zine celebrates them and all their hard work.”