Nando’s Launches 2nd Edition of Art Initiative
Laone Choeunyane | Monday June 29, 2026 06:00
Under the theme Celebrating Botswana’s Culture and Heritage, the competition encourages artists to tell the Botswana story in their own voices, through their own eyes and brushes, preserving, celebrating, and sharing what the country at 60 means to them.
The new edition builds on the success of the inaugural 2023 competition, which attracted over 120 submissions under the theme “Your View of Botswana.” Ten finalists took part in a workshop facilitated by Nando’s partners Spier Arts Trust and Thapong Visual Arts Centre, while Shirley Kadziya emerged as the winner for her powerful oil painting celebrating Botswana culture and unity.
Challenge Nhamoyebonde, General Manager of Nando’s Botswana, emphasised the importance of aligning the second edition with the country’s milestone anniversary. “At the 30th anniversary, we launched the first edition of the Art Initiative competition, with 120 submissions from artists within the borders of Botswana. We are turning 60 years of independence. It’s a big boipuso. And we felt it is only important and the right time to also do another round of this initiative to honor our arts,” said the General Manager.
He added that the theme “is an invitation for the visual arts to tell the Botswana story in their own voice and through their own eyes and their own brushes. They must cover the canvas.”
Meanwhile, Dhana Ramasamy, Finance Director at Nando’s Botswana, highlighted the deeper significance of the initiative. “We believe the story of Botswana at 60 deserves to be told by any Botswana-based artist who calls this land home. Art is not a luxury. It is a record of who we are,” said. She noted that while art has historically been viewed as a hobby rather than a career in Botswana, the creative industry is growing and becoming a genuine source of income and national pride.
Ramasamy also pointed to Nando’s strong commitment to the arts. “Nando’s has the largest publicly displayed collection of contemporary Southern African art in the world. Over 28,000 pieces in the restaurants across 24 countries. Art is genuinely in our DNA.”
The competition offers meaningful prizes with a strong emphasis on long-term artist development. The first prize winner will receive P30,000, a two-week art residency at Thapong Visual Arts Centre, and virtual critic sessions with the Chief Curator of Spier Arts Trust. The second- and third-place winners will receive P20,000 and P10,000, respectively. All three winners will have their artworks displayed for 21 days in select Nando’s restaurants, allowing thousands of customers the opportunity to appreciate the pieces. Ten finalists will participate in a curated workshop facilitated by Spier Arts Trust and Thapong Visual Arts Center, providing valuable learning, honest critique, networking, and potential sales opportunities through Spier’s Creative Block program.
Nando’s is partnering once again with Thapong Visual Arts Centre and Spier Arts Trust. Thapong provides studio space, guidance, exhibitions, and residency opportunities, while Spier Arts Trust supports over 260 professional artists through its Creative Block program, connecting them to curators, collectors, and the global art market. The judging panel will comprise representatives from both organisations, along with 2023 winner Shirley Kadziya, who returns as a judge.
Reflecting on her experience, Kadziya said winning the first edition brought significant publicity and opportunities, including commissions and a tender to produce a stamp collection for Botswana Post in 2025. “This year is really interesting for me because I’m coming back as a judge to judge the second Nando’s Art competition. And it honestly feels great because I feel I’m given a chance to kind of impart my knowledge to other Botswana artists,” she said. Her advice to participants is simple yet powerful: “I would like to advise Batswana artists to be original, to make sure that the work that you’re creating is yours and it just represents you.”
Through this initiative, Nando’s continues to champion Botswana’s creative economy and cultural identity. Artists nationwide are encouraged to submit original works that reflect their personal vision of Botswana at 60. For entry details and deadlines, interested artists should reach out via Nando’s Botswana official channels or contact Thapong Visual Arts Centre and Spier Arts Trust.