Volume 65 December 2026-January 2026 : Business

What started off as his mothers’ love for trees, flowers and landscaping exercises in her small yard, turned out to be the thrust that inspired and nurturedDickson “Boboza” Bome artistic talent and enduring love for visual arts (Craft work). Born and raised in a nearby village of Moshupa, Boboza stands out as a gifted and inquisitive young man who possesses an exceptional artistic talent. His siblings and those who have been inspired by his artistic skills, call him a “jack of all trades,” as he explores his talent in fine art, craftwork and brush painting.

 Likewise, what makes his artistic talent even extraordinary is the fact that it was inspired by a woman. That is, his mother’s affection for trees, flowers and landscaping exercises. Though this may sound coincidental, those who are culturally receptive will hasten to concur that such indeed conforms to a Setswana adage that, “tlhako ya morago e gata fa ya pele e gatileng teng,” meaning that we follow on the footsteps of our parents and those who inspire us.

 Boboza, as he is affectionately known, describes visual arts as a means of expressing inner feelings and emotion, something that is tangible - be it drawings, paintings or sculptures. “Visual art is everywhere.

 You can use anything that surrounds you to express your feelings and emotions artistically,” he says. He explains that his craftwork is mostly tailored around a cultural perspective with the motive of archiving and restoring the rich Tswana culture.

Moreover, he adds that through his craftwork, he is able to tell past and present stories that give Batswana a sense of identity and pride.

 “Most of my craftwork is motivated by the joy and excitement I experience as a visual artist,” Boboza says with a soft voice as he slowly brushes through one of his unfinished paintings to give it some colour.

 As a person who was fascinated by craftwork and paintings from a tender age, Boboza reveals that his first encounter and passion for visual arts developed during his formative years at Kebonyekgotla Primary School in Moshupa.

He reiterates that his mothers’ love for gardening and landscape activities played a pivotal role in nurturing his talent.

 He relates how during his early primary school days he used to make cars from wires and mould sculptures using traditional clay (Mmopa), which were later showcased at erstwhile 4B Club competitions.

 His mother, Mma Motshidisi Bome, has this to say, “as an inquisitive child, Bobo always watched me closely with curiosity and fascination whilst I was busy with my landscape decorations in my yard.”

As such, she is confident that her son’s interest and passion for craftwork and landscaping manifested because of the close correlation

“I did not have any financial means to help him if not only to encourage him and advice him to pursue his passion and talent so that he earns a living out of it,” says Mma Bome softly.

From primary, the timid and reserved lad from Moshupa proceeded to Baitirile Junior Secondary School still in Moshupa in 1998 where he further pursued his passion for craftwork.

 This he highlighted as a stage where his interest in art was rejuvenated because of the exposure to fine-art, sculptures and the shift from the traditional clay (Mmopa) to the modern Plaster of Paris (PoP).

It was not until around 2001 at Moshupa Senior Secondary School that Boboza’s love for craftwork blossomed given access to information on visual arts from library books and Internet.

 Since then, he never looked back as exposure and participation in art fairs and competitions became another milestone to his craftwork endeavors.

Even though he was unlucky to proceed to a university, Boboza prides himself with his artistic talent, coupled with graphic design skills that he acquired recently. 

 Notwithstanding, Boboza expresses frustration due to lack of resources, financial constraints and lack of a local market to sell his products.

This is because he does the marketing and sales on his own, resulting in most of his artifacts take long to sell due to lack of exposure and support from related institutions within Moshupa village.

 Moreover, Boboza lashes out at the villagers for being ignorant and failing to embrace and appreciate the significance of visual arts.

He dismisses perceptions that visual arts is all about drawing or playing with paint, instead of appreciating it as a form of cultural heritage and a way of telling untold stories.

 As a result, Boboza pleads with the Ministry of Youth, Sport and Culture to establish a visual art centre and an association in Moshupa where young, talented and upcoming visual artists can meet to explore their vast talents as well as network with renowned visual artists.

 “It is clear that in Botswana visual arts is growing especially with the initiatives of Thapong Visual Art Center but it is important for such institutions to expand their initiatives to villages to promote visual art at grass root level,” opines Boboza.

 Boboza is planning to network with renowned visual artists as well as fully explore his talent to create employment and earn a living from his God given talent.

 

 

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