Botswana Community UK organised a networking event in celebration of 52 years of Botswana Independence at The Wesley Euston Hotel & Conference Venue in Euston, London from 4pm to 11pm on 6th October 2018. Our main objective was to promote the culture and tradition of Botswana in the UK. We regarded a networking event like this as an opportunity to bring people together, provide a platform for Botswana artists, designers etc to sell their products & services and promote & support Botswana talent, arts, culture & tourism in the UK. Team Botswana Community UK is pleased to report that the event was very successful in meeting the objective and providing the opportunity.
We attracted ten exhibitors (listed below) and about 100 people attended. Julliet Makhapila founder of the UK Africa Diaspora Forum delivered the keynote speech, the attendees circulated around the exhibits networking with them and each other, the exhibitors talked about their products, Happy Cross talked about the Independence Day celebrations held in Manchester last week and excellent entertainment was provided by Otto and the Mutapa Calling African Marimba Band.
We thank the following for providing their services:
Hostess: Molly Molaps
TV presenter: Jess Neo Austin
TV channel: gidiTv Internet Television Network Service
Videography: Digital Captures GB
Photography: Photo Miarka
The enterprising exhibitors were:
1. Project Volunteer Botswana
2. Mukuru Money
3. UK Africa Diaspora Forum
4. Otto and the Mutapa Calling African Marimba Band
5. Organo Gold products
6. Forever Living products
7. VOA Sounds
8. Genistar – Financial Education
9. Glamour Puss Lash
10. Heart & Soul Cake – Personalised Cakes
The schedule was:
- 15:00 Exhibitors arrived to register, get name/product badges and set up their stalls
- 16:00 Attendees arrived to register, get name badges and circulate
- 17:00 Keynote speech delivered by guest of honour Julliet Makhapila (UK Africa Diaspora Forum)
- 1720 Circulating around the stalls and networking began
- 18:00 Exhibitors talked one by one about their products
- 19:30 Happy Cross talked about the Independence Day celebrations held in Manchester last week
- 20:00 Entertainment provided by Otto and Mutapa Calling African Marimba Band
- 22:00 Closing remarks from the committee and farewells
Photos taken by Photo Miarka
Happy Cross & Dr Boikanyo Phenyo – click to see the photo album!
Team Botswana UK Executive Committee:
Boikanyo Phenyo, Kabelo James and Aubrei Woki
Click me see the facebook event!
Feedback and photos by Julliet Makhapila :
Julliet Makhapila is with Boikanyo Trust Phenyo and 16 others. On the 6th of October 2018 a big thank to the people and Communities of Batswana. Honoured by there love in the house. Celebrating the 52 years of lndependence. A surprise was awaiting me and l was taken by there beautiful culture and music as a people. Botswana has a wonderful magical country and thank you for enhancing and portraying Africa world cultural heritages and the musical instrument was world class! Thank you for the invite and UK Africa diaspora forum celebrates the work that you do. Boikanyo Trust Phenyo who is the founder and also does excellent yoga awareness classes. Announcing again did u all know she raised money for a mini bus to take disadvantaged children to school? Yes , l researched and indeed humility at it’s best. Thank you for the invite and the surprise honour. Making a difference in our community we greatly honour. Once again thank you and delighted to have joined the celebrations despite travel jet lags.Our presentation on the day presented PROSPECT FOR ALL AND PEOPLE OF BOTSWANA AND IMPROVING SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT GOALS. It was well received and thank you Clive Lewis who supported and also presented on the part of how issues of Brexit impacts on Africa. Julliet Makhapila