Kanyo weaves a future for the fashion industry in Botswana
Kanyo weaves a future for Botswana’s fashion
Fashion is more than just clothing; it’s language, passion, and the very essence of being. These are the words of Creative Director, Founder of Kanyo Atelier and a member of Cohort 2 of Creation Botswana program, Boikanyo Molale
Kanyo’s love for fashion is palpable, as he eloquently describes the universal joy of wearing something new, a sentiment he’s confident even the President Duma Boko shares.
While the beauty, glamour, and cultural pride of Botswana’s fashion are often celebrated, Kanyo shines a light on the hidden struggles. “There’s a lot of struggles, heavy lifting, long hours, sacrifice and there is self-doubt,” he reveals. He speaks of creative brilliance battling for survival in an environment that often overlooks it, highlighting the tough journey designers face in their “small sewing rooms and studios.”
He emphasizes that many designers enter the industry with immense passion, only to find themselves “playing on a field with no lines, no referees, and to an audience that only claps when the dress is only loud enough.”
Many have had to self-teach, self-fund, and navigate an environment that often undervalues creative work, not just as art, but as a vital contributor to economic growth, job creation, and national pride. The unfortunate reality is that some designers have been forced to find alternative means of survival, and others have sadly abandoned their craft altogether.
This is precisely why programs like Creation Botswana are indispensable. Kanyo passionately states, “Creation Botswana isn’t just a programme, it’s a statement. It tells designers and creative entrepreneurs: You matter. Your ideas matter. And most importantly, your work has value.”
As a Cohort 2 member, Kanyo was particularly impressed by the program’s tailored approach. Instead of making assumptions, Creation Botswana began with a thorough needs assessment, genuinely understanding the challenges faced by Batswana designers.
This ensured the program was not generic but specifically designed to address existing gaps and build upon individual strengths.
A crucial element of the program has been the mentorship. Designers were paired with highly experienced mentors who provided hands-on guidance in rethinking business strategies and implementing best practices. Kanyo describes this experience as “having someone walk with you, through the wilderness with a torch, showing you the safest paths forward.”
The program also offered invaluable access to the inner workings of leading African fashion houses like Maxhosa Africa, Imprint, David Tlale, and Thebe Magugu. This rare opportunity allowed designers to observe real back-end operations, from business structuring to production, international market management, and maintaining global relevance.
The Masterclasses, filled with insights from global fashion experts, were equally priceless, offering knowledge typically found only in academic journals or exclusive conferences.
For Kanyo, Creation Botswana has delivered far more than just skills and exposure; it has provided validation. It has fostered a sense of community, assuring designers their efforts are not in vain. It has underscored that their ideas are worth investing in and that fashion is a serious contributor to Botswana’s growth, not merely a frivolous pastime.
Programs like this are pivotal for unlocking industry growth by sharing knowledge, sparking innovation, and building scalable businesses. They ensure that creativity takes center stage in national development. Kanyo expresses his fervent hope that the program becomes a permanent fixture in the industry, believing it could be the turning point for Botswana’s apparel and textile sector.
Kanyo also had a powerful call to action: “I ask that we not let this journey end here, let it also be the beginning of a mutually beneficial relationship for the advancement of African fashion.” He stresses the world’s hunger for African creativity and the importance of a unified, sustained approach that benefits everyone involved, from artisans to creative directors.
