BOT50, the organising committee for Botswana’s 50th independence anniversary celebrations, has engaged young artists to design and mount signage as part of a campaign to build hype ahead of the celebrations, which will be held in September.
Youth from Gaborone and surrounding areas will be engaged to provide the signage on a rotational basis. According to the coordinators, the youth were engaged as a way of creating employment and empowering youth owned businesses.
“We also want the youth to drive the 50th independence anniversary celebrations,” he said.
BOT50 organised a workshop for the young artists at Thapong Visual Arts Centre to encourage them to use art to promote the 50th independence anniversary celebrations. Residents have also been encouraged to innovate and come up with ideas on how preparations for the anniversary can be spiced up, in line with the theme of the celebrations. The youth will be tasked with designing and mounting signage for the 50th independence anniversary celebrations at designated areas as a way of marketing and generating hype. Religious organisations will also be involved in the preparations and celebrations, in recognition of the fact that religion played a role in Botswana’s independence.
BOT50 has also launched essay competitions that are meant to educate Batswana about the country’s achievements since independence to date. The independence celebrations are regarded as a nation building exercise that will instill a sense of patriotism among Batswana and remind them to always put the country first.
