Motswana artist selected to study in China
Friday, January 16, 2015
Kgang showing off his drawings. PIC: KAGISO ONKATSWITSE
There were more surprises in store for him and his teachers. On the day of the exhibition at Thapong Visual Arts Centre, the Chinese Embassy’s Chief Political Officer, Tang Shenping, announced that Kgang had won a five-year sponsorship to study in China.
A few days later, that commitment was cemented by Shenping who went to Moeding College to repeat his statement and inform Kgang’s mother. The young boy was all smiles that day.
It is a warning flare to every Motswana who logs onto social media. As a country, we have reached a point where the line between robust debate and outright destruction has become dangerously blurred. At face value, Mabeo’s response, which seeks an apology and threat of a defamation suit, might seem severe to some. But we cannot ignore the context. The comment in question did not offer a policy critique or question a political decision.It...