Young Performers Capitalise On Shine Arts And Craft Festival
Spira Tlhankane | Monday August 22, 2016 14:57
The festival attracted young people from various schools in Botswana and everyone was given an opportunity to showcase their skills. Poets, musicians, dancers and comedians took the centre stage to show everyone what they were capable of.
In an interview with Showtime, the director of Young Africa Botswana Jelena Mitrovic said Thapong Visual Arts Centre has a wonderful space that could be used by the youth. She said they hope the festival can continue and be held every month. “We have a wonderful response and people are contacting us from poets, comedians, dancers and singers, they all want to participate,” she said. Mitrovic said there is a great need for such an event.
She said they would host auditions in the future when more and more people come to the festival. Mitrovic said the level of talent in Botswana is impressive. She added they would upload more videos on social media to promote the young performers. A Young Africa youth leader Peach was among the performers on the day. Mitrovic thanked the Dutch Embassy from Pretoria for making it all possible.
Mitrovic said besides performances they are making an artwork and everyone is welcome to be part of it. She said they are making a huge installation sculpture of a bird. “It’s one of the most beautiful birds in the world, it will have the same colours as the Botswana flag,” she said. Mitrovic said Thapong artists and teachers from Naledi Senior School were guiding the workshop. “They are working from recycling materials. It will represent the beauty and potential of the youth,” she said.
Young Africa has been in existence for 20 years to empower the youth to be self reliant and employable. They have already set up training in vocational, life and entrepreneurial skills in different countries. They were invited by the MYSC four months ago. “It’s the skill of the hands, mind and soul together. MYSC felt it was a wonderful project for Botswana. We realised there is no podium for young people, which is accessible to everyone. Botswana youths are very talented and if we approach them from the positive side they we can do much more,” she highlighted.