Artists to give Bonnington silos facelift

LEKOPANYE MOOKETSI
Correspondent | Friday August 27, 2010 00:00

The Bonnington farm is located in Block 5 near the Grand Palm Hotel.  The silos are visible along the Gaborone-Molepolole road.   The murals will depict the history of the farm.

National Museum and Monuments deputy director Steve Mogotsi said the Bonnington silos are considered to be a national monument.

Mogotsi said their future plan is to turn the farm into an open-air museum.  He said they could also exhibit the agro-related implements, which are stored in the silos.  If funds are available, they also intend to rebuild the farmhouse and convert the it into a mini museum.   Another possible addition could be a coffee shop.  The mini museum could be used as a place where people could gather for relaxation and leisure walks. 

He revealed that the silos project is going to be launched next month.

Mogotsi said they are working on this project in partnership with the private sector and the community as part of their 'adopt a monument strategy'. 

The museum boss said they have already approached a number of companies and the response has been positive. 

Relating the history of the silos, Mogotsi said the structures were initially part of the extended farms. 

He said it was Bakwena Kgosi Sechele who had allocated the farms to some white farmers.  He revealed that the Bonnington farm has exchanged hands on several occasions.  The farm was taken over by the government in 1975. 

Mogotsi said there was a big store adjacent to the farm, which was used as a trading centre.  The store was located on the spot where the shopping complex has been built.

Although tribes in nearby villages like Mogoditshane used silos to store grain to ensure their food security, the ones at Bonnington were used as fodder storage facilities.

Contacted for comment, Thapong coordinator Reginald Bakwena said they are delighted at having been invited to participate as project coordinators. 

'We think the young artists will gain experience from the project.  The main emphasis is on the youth.  We want government to realise that young people can embark on art as some form of business,' he said.

The Principal Youth Officer (projects) in the Department of Culture, Shirley Makhura said they are funding the project and paying the artists.  She said the project is aimed reviving the monuments, which are part of the Botswana history.

'We thought young people are the best to work on this project.  There is also the issue of skills transfer.'

She said most of the young artists who have been engaged could only paint, adding that they will be able to learn mural art. 

The nine artists who have selected are from across the country.

The apprentices are under the tutelage of veteran artist, Velias Ndaba.  Ndaba said the idea is that he should part skills to the young artists.  He said the project will give the artists much exposure as it involves sculpture as well. 

'It will add something to our portfolios.  We wish there could be more projects of this nature,' he said.

One of the young artists who is engaged in the project, Wailer Motsu said it is a good opportunity for him.  In his view, what is important is not the money but to learn how to do the job.

Motsu was selected for the silos project, after responding to an advert.   Motsu knew a bit about the history of the silos because he had done some research. 

'I had asked people and I was told that place used to be a farm.  So when I applied to take part in this project, I knew what exactly they were looking for,' he said.

To him, an artist's inspiration is his/her environment and this is why he is always researching about places surrounding him.

When he started working as an artist, Motsu was based at Thapong, but is now operating from home.

He has worked with Ndaba before.  'I have gained so much experience from him,' he said. 

He recalled that artists had been neglected by the government for a long time until President Ian Khama set the ball rolling by calling on government departments to buy articles from local artists.