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Bakwena’s fervent plea for the arts

Reginald Bakwena, the helmsman at Thapong Visual Arts Centre, has demanded that their profession be recognised as a scarce skill in this wide-ranging interview Story on page A2 PIC: KENNEDY RAMOKONE
Reginald Bakwena, the helmsman at Thapong Visual Arts Centre, has demanded that their profession be recognised as a scarce skill in this wide-ranging interview Story on page A2 PIC: KENNEDY RAMOKONE

Reginald Bakwena, the helmsman at Thapong Visual Arts Centre, has overseen the evolution of the visual arts scene over the years. The outspoken artist has demanded that their profession be recognised as a scarce skill in this wide-ranging interview with Mmegi Staffer GOITSEMODIMO KAELO

Bakwena, who is in his 20th year as the coordinator of the centre, has become the public face of the visual arts in the country. An artist and curator by profession, Bakwena commands respect within and outside the industry and his word when he speaks about the arts could be taken as the gospel truth. His passion shows whenever he talks art and he is steadfast that the creative industry can be at the centre of job creation in the country, but that would require a total mindset change to happen.

To Bakwena, art is a creative skill and a rare talent that God has given a few to change the world; as such it should be treated as a scarce skill. In his words, artists possess special skills that are not common and cannot be taken away from them.

Editor's Comment
A promising step for public schools, but...

For too long, the state of many public schools has been a source of shame. We have all seen the pictures and heard the stories of broken windows, unreliable water and electricity, topped by classrooms that are not fit for proper learning. The establishment of the Education Infrastructure and Management Company Ltd (EIMC) signals that authorities are finally ready to take this problem seriously. We must commend the government for this initiative....

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