Langwane creates beyond limit

Otlarongwa Kgweetsi | Sunday March 23, 2025 06:18

Born and raised in Selebi-Phikwe, the 31-year-old Langwane moved to Gaborone in 2011 for tertiary education. He says it was during a difficult period of unemployment in 2015 that he turned to art as a way to make ends meet. What began as customising sneakers and clothing soon grew into LincFix Arts, an artistic venture that now includes paintings, portraits, and murals. “Before I started LincFix Arts, I had always had a passion for art. From a young age, I had always been an artist. I had an undying love for art, but I didn’t see it as something I could do professionally,” he says. That changed when he customised a pair of his sneakers while in tertiary and received overwhelming interest. “The reaction I got and people asking for my work was what moved me to pursue art as a career,” he added. Langwane’s artistic approach is defined by his refusal to conform to rules. “I can’t say there is a particular artwork that I specialise in. I can do a lot, and that is all because of the dedication and passion I have for my craft,” he adds.

His work is diverse, ranging from clothing customisation to large-scale paintings, but he has a particular love for portraits. “I capture the essence of my muse in ways that really express way more than even I could ever imagine,” he explains. Despite his passion and talent, he has encountered challenges that many artists in Botswana face. “Our people are so good at looking at art and appreciating it from the visual aspect, but they can’t invest in it,” he says. While he acknowledges that there has been some progress, he believes the local industry has the potential to grow much further. “Our economy is growing. We shouldn’t always have to look for markets in other countries when we could be greater here, within the source. Groom and invest in our local artists. Grow them and grow the country,” he says.



Finding the right market was a learning process. “Art is costly, and we need the support of our country to be able to make something off of it,” he explains. Over time, he discovered the importance of targeting the right audience and working with professionals to expand his reach. “I decided to work with a marketing expert who has helped immensely in improving my outreach, especially on social media.” The effort paid off, allowing him to sell his work beyond Botswana’s borders. “Through social media, I have been able to sell my art as far as the US, and that is something I never thought would happen.” One of his most memorable projects was creating murals, which helped him regain confidence after an injury. “For a certain time, I wasn’t able to practice art after an injury to my hand. A client and friend brought life back to me when she trusted me to make a mural for her, and that I will always remember because, at the time, I thought I had lost it.”

Looking ahead, Langwane hopes to see more investment in the arts and better recognition for artists. “Artists should get endorsements and the recognition they deserve, and not have to work for free or for publicity. It’s unfair for artists to be asked to work for exposure because someone is investing their time, their talents, and their souls into a craft just to get likes on Facebook. We should paint this country.” His vision extends beyond personal success, he wants to inspire others and contribute to the growth of the creative industry. “I’d like to someday leave a mark in our creative industry. For my daughter to see my work someday and be like, ‘My dad did that,’ he said. Though he acknowledges that he has not yet reached where he wants to be, he remains optimistic. “Maybe someday it will be at a point where art is my job and not just a side hustle,” he concludes.