Fatshe Leno La Rona, a national photography competition and visual storytelling initiative is founded by Tshepo Phokoje. The two-time solo exhibitionist under Vixen Excursions, is creating what she describes as a living visual archive of Botswana. Phokoje says the initiative calls on local photographers to document who Batswana are, where they come from, and how they live today. Launched in alignment with the country’s 60th Independence celebrations, the project seeks to capture six decades of growth, culture, resilience and transformation. From ancestral heritage to modern lifestyles, Phokoje says the initiative aims to preserve moments that define Botswana’s past and present.
“The competition runs on monthly themes, each exploring different aspects of Botswana’s identity. These include culture and heritage, traditional and modern food, social rituals, landscapes, people and evolving ways of life,” Phokoje said. She explained that the January theme, ‘Origins’ invited photographers to reflect on ancestry and identity, encouraging submissions that explored personal and collective roots. “The response marked the beginning of what we hope will become a comprehensive national record. The current theme, “Daily Life & Social Rituals,” is open for submissions until February 26, 2026. Participants are encouraged to interpret everyday experiences from communal gatherings and family traditions to contemporary urban life in ways that authentically represent Botswana’s social fabric,” she explained. She stated that each month presents a new opportunity for photographers to contribute, with ongoing participation offering advantages within the broader competition framework.
