Dike reaps from Forbes Under 30
Sharon Mathala | Sunday February 5, 2023 06:00
Timothy Dike is a fulltime visual artist based in Kasane. His arts journey dates as far back as junior school days at Shakawe Junior Secondary School but it was not until 2016 when the brush and paint would drastically change his life. The 27-year-old says art helped him heal during a difficult time of his life.
In 2020 a call of a lifetime came through when he was selected to be amongst the 200 young Batswana to participate in the first ever Under 30 Africa Summit. An experience that would change his life for the better.
According to Dike, the process of applying for the slot was a tedious one as there were so many red tapes but he says it was worth the trouble.
During the Summit, he sold more than he has ever done in his entire career and continues to do so through the networks he built. “I decided to take the opportunity to paint and revamp bucket hats telling the Botswana story and I will tell you the bucket hats and the T-shirts sold like fat cakes. During the summit I was the busiest I have ever been,” Dike tells Arts & Culture.
The Shakawe-born artist, however, further shares that it is not just the sales made during the Summit, but it is the everlasting networking that even until today he continues to benefit from.
“You see the Summit brought together entrepreneurs from across the world, across many sectors. I was able to network and create relationships with some of them who until today continue to exchange notes with me. In fact, just late last year I sold another art piece to a delegate from Australia who has recommended my work to her colleagues who have now placed orders,” Dike further shared.
Looking into the future he says he is now implementing some of the marketing strategies he learnt during the interactions and session to push his own business. Some of his works include using “acrylic paint, oil paint, pencil and pen to tell a story through art.”
“The impact that Forbes had on my business and brand is the healthy connections I made and continue to cultivate and it is not only the international connections even locally I got to meet some innovative minds whom we are now working on collaborations with,” he further said.
Following the Summit, Dike’s profile grew as he was invited to showcase in South Africa and Zimbabwe through the networks he was able to make. As the event gets back, Dike has advised the youth to seize the moment and partake in the Summit as it offers an opportunity of a lifetime.