Creative entrepreneur walks for a dream
Tshegofatso Tlholwe walks for a dream
Tshegofatso Tlholwe, a visionary creative entrepreneur from Thamaga, is embarking on an extraordinary journey across Botswana, a 2,125-kilometer sponsored walk under the compelling theme: “Creatives Are Diamonds in the Dirt.”
This ambitious trek, known as the MmaBotswana Sponsored Walk 2025, is set to span from June 1st to September 8th, 2025, beginning and concluding in Thamaga, with significant stops in towns like Moshupa, Kanye, Jwaneng, Ghanzi, Maun, Francistown, Mahalapye, and Gaborone.
“This initiative is not just a physical challenge,” states Tlholwe, “it’s a mission of hope, empowerment, and transformation designed to spark lasting change for Botswana’s creative youth.”
The MmaBotswana Sponsored Walk is driven by two powerful objectives that aim to turn the tide for aspiring artists and innovators across the nation. It seeks to build dreams by raising crucial funds for the construction of a Youth Creative Centre in Thamaga.
This long-overdue facility will serve as a vibrant hub for off-school and unemployed creative youth. It will be a dedicated space, offering access to essential tools, valuable mentorship, and a nurturing environment where raw talent can be polished into thriving careers and sustainable ventures.
The walk aims to elevate the arts by raising national awareness and championing the recognition of Botswana’s creative arts industry as a legitimate and powerful driver of economic development. It’s a clarion call to action for policymakers, the private sector, and citizens alike to invest in creativity as a fundamental cornerstone of the nation’s future.
MmaBotswana, founded by Tshegofatso Tlholwe, is a pioneering social entrepreneurship initiative that leverages artistic and innovative solutions to tackle pressing social challenges head-on. Through its ingenious creative business models, it actively fosters job creation, community development, and economic empowerment.
“Despite operating from a small workshop, we’ve already empowered over 200 off-school youth and helped launch eight promising youth-led ventures,” Tlholwe proudly shares. “But our impact is limited by a lack of proper facilities.
It’s time to build the Youth Creative Centre, a space where dreams aren’t just nurtured, but transformed into sustainable industries.”
As of now, Tshegofatso has already logged an incredible 410 kilometers and is currently in Kang, every step bringing her closer to her ambitious goal of transforming creative aspirations into tangible realities.
This walk is more than just a journey across the land; it’s a journey of conviction, laying the groundwork for a brighter, more creative future for Botswana.
