Botswana

^{Posted on Friday 14th march, 2008}

Visual artists form umbrella body

^{Courtesy of Botswana Press Agency}

^{Visual artists in the country have resolved to form a body that will look after their interests and advocate for their rights. Speaking at the inaugural meeting that was held at the National Museum on Saturday, the head of arts at the museum Phillip Segole urged the artists to have a sense of purpose and to be committed to their profession.}

^{He also urged them to respect time, especially when dealing with the corporate world. People come to these meeting not knowing what they want to achieve, he said.}

^{The visual artists initiated the idea of forming a representative body or association two years ago. One of the artists at the meeting Monica Selelo said there is a need for artists to know each other , work together and give each other the necessary support.}

^{She said they have already visited countries such as South Africa and Namibia on a benchmarking tour.}

^{She said the association in Namibia helps to safeguard artists rights and to raise awareness about them. Supporting Selelo, another visual artist Reginald Bakwena said the association will help in lobbying.}

^{Although the artists have not yet decided whether they want to form a union, association or company they have elected an interim committee to determine whether the body will better serve artists as a union, association or company.}

^{They have also been mandated to draft the constitution and to come up with an appropriate name for the association. The committee members are Tom Ketlogetswe, chairperson, Abednico Sechaba, vice chairperson, Ivy Radipodi, secretary, Keatlaretse Kwati as the treasurer, Danny Moatlhodi, publicity, and Kegone Koma and Masilonyane Radinoga as additional members.}

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