African Women's Resilience, Identity & Uniqueness is 'Jewel' That World Seeks, Botswanan Artist Says
18:11 08.03.2025 (Updated: 10:53 09.03.2025)
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Challenges such as racial tensions should not divide African women, but rather become a pillar that unites them all, a Botswanan artist said, urging women to embrace their heritage, spirituality and physical strength as a source of power.
Geographically rooted in a resource-rich continent, African women possess genetic resilience to harsh environments and illnesses, cultural pride, and a shared identity that fosters unity amid diversity, and that is "a gemstone" the world is looking for, multitalented Botswanan artist Charles Kakomee-Tjeja, who is known for his artworks made from discarded metal pieces, told Sputnik Africa in honor of International Women's Day.
"To African women out there, I say be proud of who you are and celebrate your uniqueness because your uniqueness is a jewel, it is what the world is coming to. Don't run away from something that the world is running to. That is my word to African beauties, that you are the gemstone that the world is looking for. But when they come, they shouldn't find you hidden in other people's identities and or wishing you were someone else," Kakomee-Tjeja emphasized.
The artist's sculpture "Omukaendu o Tjitenda," which translates as "a metallic woman," celebrates the resilience and strength of African women, drawing inspiration from their central role in households and communities.
"Metal is a very durable material, and a woman is one complex and strong being. You'd have a woman being the core or the foundation of every household. She would have to take care of herself, sons and daughters, her husband, and her everyday chores in the house," he pointed out.
An artwork by Botswanan artist Charles Kakomee-Tjeja, who is known for his sculptures made from discarded metal pieces.
Through the art of sculptures made from discarded metals, Kakomee-Tjeja is narrating the African story, breaking stereotypes, as art is "a mirror reflecting things that are happening in society."
"Art is an identity, and every artwork that an artist does carry part of them. It's like takes part of your DNA because it has a signature of how you do it, how you put your mediums together, that on its own, it gets to be identified as this is African sculpture, this is Asian art, this is Chinese art, this is Chinese painting, is the fact that we attach titles, geographical titles to such, it says art indeed is an element of one's identity," he explained.
