Boifang Samaje

The purpose of this site is to promote the artwork of Boifang Samaje, a young artist from Ngamiland, Botswana.

Proceeds form the sale of these paintings and drawings contribute to the continuing education of the young artist.

Boifang was born in 1988 in the village of Kajaja II. When he is home in his father's village, he assists with family chores which include caring for the family's cattle.

We "discovered" Boifangs' talent when Nxamaseri Island Lodge, where both of his parents work, hired Boifang to paint decorations on tin plates that were to be used as mosquito coil burners. Using only a stick as a brush, he produced a charming assortment of hippos, water lilies, crocodiles and other Okavango river life on the plates. After seeing the results, I gave him the water color paints, brushes and paper that my sister had so kindly given me for a Christmas gift. I was sure Boifang would make better use of the materials than I would and I asked him to produce paintings for my Botswana Arts and Crafts shop at the lodge, called Ndalama Creations.

Boifang learned to paint and draw at Ghanzi Senior Secondary School and his natural talent is evident. Through your support, Boifang is encouraged to continue with his art and develop his talent as a marketable skill. Ndalama is dedicated to the support and encouragement of local artists and artisans such as Boifang Samaje.

19 June 2010 Thapong Workshop in Maun

… a stroke of luck for Boifang!

Thapong Visual Arts Center has sponsored an art workshop at the Nhabe Museum in Maun. The purpose of the workshop is to find talented painters in the remote areas on Ngamiland and offer them the wonderful opportunity of art education, contact with other artists, networking with Thapong and above all showing them that their dreams can come true in that it is possible to make a living from their passion.

Boifang was accepted into the workshop, and was kindly allowed to leave the program for an hour each morning to attend his business course at Katlego Tutorial College.

Ivy Radipodi, hailing from Molepolole, Botswana was the fabulous facilitator for the week long program. Currently teaching Art and Design at Gaborone Senior Secondary School, Ivy has a BA (Honors) in Fine Arts from the University in Capetown, S.A. Ivy gave the participants the theme of HIV/AIDS in Botswana and Boifang and his fellows used their imaginations to produce their work which included an oil on canvas. This was the first opportunity for Boifang to explore this media.

Workshop topics wisely included a seminar focusing on the importance of saving money during which a local bank offered the participants a chance to open a bank account. Also highlighted was the importance of originality in art and developing one’s own concepts and style.

On Saturday, 19 June the work of the workshop participants went on display at the Nhabe Musem and a program celebrating both the workshop and the opening of Basket Show found representatives from Thapong, the American Embassy and Nhabe Museum. Boifang’s mother, Gladys attended the opening with me and she was thrilled with the whole program.

I met with Boifang (still walking on clouds) later in the day, and I have never known him to be so talkative. Thanks to the wonderful program, he is now able to utilize space at the Nhabe Museum as a place to go and paint and Thapong will sponsor art materials for him to work with.

I wish I could remember all the names of the people involved in the whole program so that I could properly thank them in print. By name I remember of course Ivy Radipodi, Reginald Bakwena the Coordinator of Thapong Visual Arts Center, Joyce and John from Nhabe. Also Mr. Mohabe, the Senior Teacher at Maun Secondary school and Gurudev Kovi, the Art Teacher at Maun Secondary School who also participated in the workshop.

Mr. Mohabe and Mr Kovi have asked me to ring them when I next come to Maun so that we can meet and discuss some of their programs. Boifang is excited as they have invited him to assist in teaching drawing to the students at Maun Secondary School.

Katlego Tutorial College, Maun, Botswana

Boifang is currently attending Katlego Tutorial College in Maun, where he has quite sensibly decided to take a course in basic business and learn to use the computer. It is a 9 month course, and when he has completed his certificate he will then look at options in the art field. He spends a lot of time studying at the Maun library where he is able to use a computer and hook up to the internet. He now has an email address; boifangsamaje@yahoo.com. He spends his weekends painting and drawing.

California Sales of Boifang's Art

A heart felt thank you to all of you in Southern California who purchased Boifangs artwork. You will pleased to know that your purchases are helping this deserving young man reach his educational goals.

When I returned to my home at Nxamaseri in Botswana early this month, I was met by Boifang's mother Gladys Samaje, who lamented to me that Boifang was cross with her and his father, Len, as they were unable to pay the entrance fees for courses he wishes to enroll in this term. How timely! Gladys is unsure of the details of the courses that Boifang wants to take, but I will see Boifang later this month and organize the fees he needs. He is currently staying with relatives in Maun and I believe he wishes to attend courses there. Other options include courses in our capitol city of Gabarone. Eventually, I hope to also see Boifang enrolled in artists workshops at Thapong Visual Arts Center in Gabarone. Thapong Visual Arts Center's web address is www.artshost.org/thapong

Check back later for details on Boifangs course attendance as well as to see any new artwork he has completed while I was in the U.S.

Thanks also to Montreal resident Sue Wehner's order for a Carmine Bee Eater and another Zebra similar to Sally's!

Thanks again to all of you,
Debbie