Public Art used to depict Botswana's rich history

One of the beautiful things about art is that one can use it to communicate where words fail them. What better way to narrate the country’s historic journey than through murals in different places across the country?

These murals are part of a public art project which was launched by the Minister of Sports, Youth and Culture, Thapelo Olopeng, at the Main Mall last Friday. Olopeng informed those present that the project started in 2013 as a way of enhancing the visual arts, giving artists a platform to showcase their artistic ability, competitiveness and their craftsmanship. He said the public art project forms part of the legacy projects of the country’s golden jubilee celebrations.

These art works are not hard to miss no matter where they are because they are painted in very bright and bold colours. The bright colours used when painting them have made them stand out so much that they are able to peak the curiosity of passers-by. It was not by accident for them to be in main mall as the central economic hub has a lot of historic value to the country. Many a people can recall having a few firsts there such as the first time they went to the movies, as this was the location of the first cinema in the country.

The works of art have also found a home in Mochudi and Kanye where silos were chosen as the spaces for them to be drawn on. “It was during celebrations such as dikgafela where farmers and the communities in general contributed part of their harvest to the Kgosi for storage in these silos,” Olopeng said. He added that doing this would ensure that the country’s heritage is documented through art.

The project has proved to have rehabilitative impact on prison inmates in Molepolole. It has changed the prison environment and given them an alternative to the solitude environment of the prison walls. They have also acquired new skills through the beehive of activity that takes place during the art sessions.