Art for well-being on the cards
Goitsemodimo Kaelo | Monday May 11, 2026 06:00
Nkawana, a Thapong Artist of the Year (2016), will lead the Art for Mental Wellbeing campaign, a five-month journey spanning from July to November 2026, bringing creative expression and healing spaces to communities across the country.
The initiative will begin and finish up in Gaborone, with outreach extending to high-density urban areas, rural villages, and remote regions, including Maun, Ghanzi, and Shakawe. At its core, the project seeks to use art as a tool for emotional expression, awareness, and community dialogue around mental health issues.
In an interview with Arts&Culture about the motivation behind the project, Nkawana highlighted growing concerns about the silent struggles faced by many Batswana as key.
“Across our country, mental health challenges are increasing, particularly among young people. Issues such as unemployment, substance abuse, and daily life pressures are affecting individuals and families, often without safe spaces to talk or heal,” he said.
The campaign will feature interactive art sessions, open discussions, and live creative activities designed to encourage participants to express their experiences. Nkawana will personally engage with communities, working alongside youth, local leaders, and residents to create environments where conversations about mental wellbeing can take place openly and without stigma.
A striking element of the campaign will be Nkawana’s use of wearable artistic light installations during his travels. The visual concept is intended to symbolise hope and raise awareness of mental health issues, while also drawing public attention in a creative and thought-provoking way.
“The lights represent visibility, making what is often hidden, seen. They are a call for people to come forward, to engage, and to know they are not alone,” he explained.
One of the campaign’s most ambitious goals is to create 10,000 A5 artworks collaboratively with community members throughout the journey. Nkawana said each piece will reflect personal stories, emotions, and perspectives, forming a collective narrative of healing and resilience.
These artworks will be showcased in a major exhibition scheduled for November 28, 2026, in Gaborone. The exhibition is expected to serve as both a celebration of creativity and a platform for raising awareness about mental health. A portion of the proceeds will be donated to charitable causes, further extending the project’s impact beyond its duration.
Nkawana credits part of his inspiration to Dawnbell Academy CEO Ndiko Muzila, whose encouragement to use personal talents for national service helped shape the initiative's vision.
“She challenged us to look beyond ourselves and contribute meaningfully to society. That message pushed me to see art not just as a passion, but as a tool for healing and impact,” he said.
He also acknowledged the role of his coordinator, Samuel Lebengwa, who has been instrumental in motivating him to expand the scope of his artistic work.
“Even in moments when I feel exhausted, he continues to push me to do more and to believe in the power of this vision,” Nkawana added.
He said the project has already secured support from institutions such as Gaborone University College of Law (GUC) and Diamonds Unearthed Academy, which are assisting with materials and transport logistics. However, Nkawana notes that additional sponsorship is needed to fully realise the initiative's scale. He is calling on both government and private-sector partners to support the campaign and invest in mental wellness at the grassroots level.
While the primary focus is Botswana, Nkawana envisions the project growing beyond national borders. There are plans to expand into South Africa and eventually take the initiative onto a global stage, positioning art as a universal language for healing and connection.
“This is more than an art project. It is a movement, one that seeks to restore hope, spark meaningful conversations, and remind people that their voices matter,” he said.
As Botswana continues to grapple with the realities of mental health challenges, initiatives like Art for Mental Wellbeing offer a creative, community-driven approach to addressing them, one brushstroke at a time.