- Nestled in the ever-so-busy neighbourhood of Hatfield stands the colourful building of Botaki Ba Afrika. A non-profit community art centre that aims to assist artists, Botaki Ba Afrika is Tswana for “Craft of Africa”. Engaging in art tends to be conflated with the idea that one needs to spend huge amounts of money in order to become a “real artist”. Botaki Ba Afrika subverts that notion by creating a space that is open to all in order to enjoy the communal aspect that is integral to creation and offers a break from the hustle and bustle of Hatfield.
Joy Mwali is a ceramic artist that is affiliated with Botaki and described the space as a place to “slow down and engage with creativity in a meaningful way”. Upon entering the gates of Botaki, you are met with an array of greenery and colour from the graffiti and murals that adorn the exterior walls. All of this is just a sneak-peek into the life of colour that greets you upon entering the interior of the building – on your left, you will most likely see a small group enjoying yoga in the open area that was converted into a stage when needed. The building feels like an art hub, a place that welcomes the growth of ideas and community.
As a student, it can be easy to neglect your creative and social needs, and Botaki has just what you need to unwind. They facilitate a number of events such as literature workshops and visual art narratives called Botaki Ba Pono in which audiences are able to engage with artworks and their respective artists. On Wednesday evenings, they host (free) Dinelwane Poetry Nights which offer attendees the freedom to express themselves through spoken word – a format that can facilitate “reflection, storytelling, and emotional expression,” explained Mwali. Additionally, another beloved event is Ditiragalo Tsa Mmino – music nights that offer local artists the space to perform. This is only the tip of the iceberg with some of the engagements that Botaki has to offer, and a quick follow of their Instagram page will keep you up to date on their busy hive.
Mwali continued in highlighting that, through these activities, Botaki challenges the narrative that spaces of creativity are primarily for viewing art from a distance as it is engaged with by a select few, covering it with a glass door of exclusivity or status. What is emphasised instead is the accessible and communal experience of art, especially in Africa and student spaces.
A particularly interesting facet of Botaki’s offerings have been the ceramic workshops that have been taking place and are expected to continue. As a ceramics artist, Mwali has been the main facilitator of these workshops. In describing the experience of working with clay, Mwali touched on the power that comes with creating an object or artwork from “almost nothing”. Ceramic making is an art form that is born out of tradition and historical practices. The ancient medium of ceramics continues to both evolve and be preserved through the effort put in by young people because we bring novel ideas to the practice. Artforms that centre around mindfulness and tactile practice help us slow down, be more reflective, and be one with the physical world – values that are becoming increasingly valuable in the digital era.
Botaki Ba Afrika welcomes you, whether you are a beginner or you have been an artist since you were born. Whenever you need a break from that STK module, Botaki’s focus on the development of young artists or artists that do not yet have the means to create and compose their work is sure to offer you a much needed digital detox as well as an entry into communal creativity.
