Talented Oratile Kadziya has emerged the winner of the Nando’s Art Initiative. She walked away with a whooping P10, 000 cash prize, certificates and other goodies on Wednesday.
Her painting, which shows different hands holding a lit lantern stole the judges' hearts compared to other beautiful artifacts from other artists. She beat two fellow finalists who were chosen from the top 10.
The duo also walked away with cash prizes whilst other artists who did not make it to top three walked away with certificates and goodie bags. Kadziya was also given a year's bragging rights of being Nando’s Art Initiative winner.
The second position went to Sylvester Koweno who drew an old woman wearing a doek and mogagolwane while Mokganedi Elisa scooped position three with a beautiful art piece made of jeans. They each walked away with P5, 000 cash, certificates and goodies.
Some of the artists who made it to the top 10 include Obakeng Molapisi, Raees Abdoola, Mothusi Tau, Katlego Khupe and Tshepo Molapong. When explaining how they chose the winners, one of the judges Kate Kwapi from Thapong Visual Arts Centre said they were following a criteria to look at which aligned with the theme of the competition. The theme was ‘Exploring of Botswana Culture'. She added that they looked for an artwork that showcased the Botswana culture in a broader aspect.
She, however, explained that when talking about culture, everyone had different views adding that, culture is very dynamic and needed individuals to express themselves on what culture means to them. Furthermore, she said every artist who made it to top 10 out of the 120 applicants were in one way of the other winners even though at every competition only a few could walk away with the main prizes. “Let me encourage our artists here to keep on grabbing opportunities no matter how small they are as they might be of great use to you in future.
To young fellow artists, younger brothers and sister, I want you to keep on pushing. Take every opportunity that comes to you no matter how small it is because you will never know what it will give back to. Maybe this small initiative will turn into something bigger in the next coming years,” she said. When addressing the media, Nando’s Brand Manager, Michelle Wright explained that all Nando’s restaurants across the country and the globe have art pieces on their walls. She added that some Southern Africa artists made collections for the brand and also had an opportunity to exhibit across the world, which changed the artists’ lives for the better. She also said as an artist, she understood the need to and want to be recognised, to show off their skills in the market world to make a living.
“The aim of this art initiative is to give new artists a platform that can elevate their artistic career. Over two months ago, we announced the art competition and at the end we got a 120 submission that is more than we expected. Yesterday we managed to host a workshop with our judges and top 10 where we got feedback and encouragement. To our top 10 who did not win cash prizes, I want you to keep on pushing and know that this is not the end,” she said.
