Botswana-Born Initiative Calls on Corporate Botswana, Investors and Stakeholders to Support a Growing National Movement Following the successful hosting of the Debswana World Athletics Relays Gaborone 2026, a unique Botswana-grown creative movement is preparing to deliver its next major milestone – CITYFAN LIVE: “The Final Stroke” Premium Art Auction and Exhibition, scheduled for 30 June 2026 at Museum Café, Botswana National Museum, Gaborone.
What began as a voluntary initiative to build excitement, participation and national pride around the Debswana World Athletics Relays has evolved into a pioneering public engagement platform that combines sport, art, culture, tourism, economic empowerment and social impact. Developed and powered by Korwe BrandWorks, a Gaborone-based brand development, market strategy, advertising and events hosting firm, CityFan Live was founded by Creative Directors Victor Leshomo and Clement Kedikaetse, two locally respected innovators and entrepreneurs whose work over the past nine years has consistently focused on community transformation through creative, developmental and social impact initiatives. Their previous work has included Health and Wellness Days, self-defence seminars primarily targeting women and children, community media initiatives aimed at democratizing communication, civic empowerment programmes, cultural preservation projects and various community development campaigns designed to create meaningful public participation and positive social change. A MOVEMENT THAT HELPED BUILD MOMENTUM FOR BOTSWANA During the five-week build-up to the Debswana World Athletics Relays, CityFan Live transformed Gaborone’s Main Mall into a vibrant public engagement hub that connected residents, visitors, athletes, artists, businesses and stakeholders. The initiative became a living celebration of Botswana’s culture, creativity and hospitality, creating a welcoming atmosphere for both local communities and international guests. Recognising the value of the project in promoting Gaborone as the host city, the Town Clerk of Gaborone City Council supported the initiative by providing access to public space at Main Mall opposite NDB for 48 days, enabling continuous public interaction and engagement. The activations welcomed local residents and international visitors alike, offering a unique cultural experience that blended sport, creativity and Botswana’s rich heritage. Among those who voluntarily contributed their talents was celebrated local musician Kabo Leburu, whose distinctive fusion of indigenous rhythms and jazz provided memorable cultural experiences for visitors and residents alike. Traditional performances were further enriched by Naledi Arts Ensemble from Old Naledi, whose energetic performances over two consecutive days entertained crowds throughout Main Mall while helping direct cultural and sporting tourists toward the Botswana National Museum. Through these activations, CityFan Live not only promoted the World Athletics Relays but also contributed to positioning Botswana as a welcoming destination for culture, tourism and community-driven experiences.
COMMUNITY SUPPORT THAT MADE THE JOURNEY POSSIBLE
The success of CityFan Live has also been made possible through the support of organisations and partners who believed in the vision. Artswana contributed high-quality painting materials used by participating artists throughout the campaign, enabling them to create works that would eventually form part of “The Final Stroke” initiative. Ultimex Holdings – Good Food Brands supported the CityFan Live team by providing VitaPlus Instant Porridge, helping sustain organisers throughout the intensive five-week activation period leading up to the World Athletics Relays. These contributions demonstrate how collaboration between the private sector and community-led initiatives can create meaningful impact while advancing Botswana’s creative economy and national development aspirations.
A WORLD-FIRST CREATIVE SPECTACLE AT THE DEBSWANA WORLD ATHLETICS RELAYS
One of the most remarkable features of CityFan Live was the decision to place visual artists at the heart of a major international sporting event. For the first time, five painters were positioned inside the Debswana World Athletics Relays Gaborone 2026 environment and challenged to create artworks LIVE, capturing the atmosphere, athletic performances, crowd energy, emotions, national pride and defining moments unfolding before them. Rather than producing artwork in studios after the event, the artists painted in real time as history was being made. The result was a unique fusion of sport, culture and creativity that transformed spectators into witnesses of a living artistic process. To the knowledge of the organisers, no major international sporting event has previously incorporated a dedicated live-painting competition of this nature as part of its official fan engagement experience, making the initiative a pioneering concept on the global sporting and cultural landscape. The live painting spectacle attracted significant interest from local and international media, visitors and event stakeholders, generating conversations about Botswana’s ability to innovate and create original fan experiences that extend beyond traditional sporting entertainment. These artworks have now become historical visual records of Botswana’s hosting of the World Athletics Relays and form the centrepiece of “The Final Stroke” Premium Auction and Exhibition. The success of this groundbreaking concept has further opened discussions around future collaborations with the Botswana National Arts Council (BNAC), which has expressed strong support for innovative initiatives that elevate Botswana’s creative sector, create opportunities for artists and position the country as a leader in cultural innovation. Organisers are optimistic that future partnerships and collaborations with BNAC and other stakeholders can help expand CityFan Live into an even larger platform that showcases Botswana’s artistic talent while contributing to national development and cultural tourism.
THE FINAL STROKE: CELEBRATING BOTSWANA’S CREATIVE EXCELLENCE
At the centre of the movement is “The Final Stroke”, a groundbreaking artists’ empowerment initiative that challenged visual artists to create works inspired by Botswana, sport, culture, resilience and national pride. Public voting determined the five artists selected to proceed to the final premium auction and exhibition.
TOP FIVE FINALISTS
- BEZUBA KAUNDA – 154 Votes
- JOE DE ARTIST – 153 Votes
- KENNETH LOUNGO BALE – 105 Votes
- GOMOLEMO KGOSIMODIMO ARTS – 97 Votes
- MICHELLE MOTSHEDI – 90
Votes Their works will form part of an exclusive premium auction experience bringing together art collectors, businesses, investors, cultural stakeholders, development partners and members of the public. More importantly, the initiative has been intentionally designed to ensure that participating artists receive a significant share of proceeds generated from the sale of their artwork, creating tangible economic opportunities while helping strengthen Botswana’s growing creative sector. By creating direct economic value for artists, CityFan Live seeks to demonstrate that creativity is not merely a cultural asset but also a viable contributor to employment, entrepreneurship and sustainable livelihoods.
ART WITH PURPOSE: SUPPORTING 100 CHILDREN LIVING WITH DISABILITY AND AUTISM
Beyond artistic excellence, “The Final Stroke” carries a powerful social mission. Through a partnership with Eclipso Ventures Media, a portion of proceeds generated through the auction will contribute toward programmes supporting 100 children living with disability and autism. This creates a unique model where art becomes more than a cultural expression – it becomes a vehicle for inclusion, empowerment, compassion and social change.
Every artwork sold therefore contributes to multiple layers of impact:
- Empowering Botswana’s visual artists.
- Supporting children living with disability and autism.
- Strengthening Botswana’s creative economy.
- Promoting cultural tourism and national identity.
- Encouraging community-driven development.
- Creating opportunities for future social impact initiatives.
MORE THAN AN EVENT PLATFORM
While CityFan Live gained national recognition through its activations surrounding the Debswana World Athletics Relays Gaborone 2026 and its artists’ empowerment initiatives, the platform was always designed to serve a much broader purpose. CityFan Live is a high-impact public engagement and activation platform developed to bring people, organisations, brands, communities and stakeholders together around causes and initiatives that matter. Through strategic activations, stakeholder participation, advocacy campaigns and experiential engagements, the platform is capable of supporting sporting events, product launches, public awareness campaigns, cultural programmes and community development initiatives. Its vision extends to promoting national conversations and collective action around issues such as the fight against drug and substance abuse, gender-based violence, environmental cleanliness, community clean-up campaigns, social inclusion, cultural preservation, youth empowerment and civic participation. The platform also seeks to encourage healthier and more active communities through fitness campaigns, health and wellness initiatives, while creating opportunities for entrepreneurship, skills development and economic participation. Whether operating in cities, towns, villages, wards or neighbourhoods, CityFan Live is built on the belief that meaningful development happens when communities are actively engaged, informed and inspired to participate in shaping their own future. At its core, CityFan Live is not simply an events initiative — it is a movement for community building, cultural activism, social impact and national development, using creativity, public engagement and strategic partnerships as vehicles for positive change.
A CALL TO CORPORATE BOTSWANA, INVESTORS AND DEVELOPMENT PARTNERS
Despite the initiative’s growing success and public impact, CityFan Live has largely been driven through volunteerism, patriotism and personal sacrifice. The founders, artists and volunteers have invested considerable time, resources and energy into creating a platform that celebrates Botswana while creating opportunities for others. As preparations intensify for the upcoming premium auction and exhibition, resources have become increasingly stretched and the need for strategic partnerships has become more urgent.
CityFan Live is therefore appealing to:
- Corporate companies
- Investors
- Philanthropists
- Development agencies
- Cultural institutions
- Art collectors
- Hospitality and tourism stakeholders
- Community-minded citizens to support the initiative in any form possible.
Support may include sponsorships, partnerships, auction participation, marketing assistance, logistics support, procurement of artworks, hospitality contributions, media exposure, equipment support, volunteer support or strategic introductions to potential partners and supporters. By supporting “The Final Stroke,” stakeholders are not simply funding an event; they are investing in Botswana’s artists, supporting children living with disability and autism, promoting culture, stimulating economic opportunities and helping establish a nationally significant platform for creativity and social impact.
BUILDING BOTSWANA’S CREATIVE FUTURE
CityFan Live has demonstrated that creativity can unite communities, promote tourism, amplify national pride and generate meaningful social impact. From transforming public spaces at Main Mall, welcoming international visitors, showcasing local talent and supporting national sporting milestones, to empowering artists and uplifting children living with disability, the initiative continues to prove that creativity is a powerful force for development. As Botswana continues positioning itself as a destination for culture, innovation, sport and investment, CityFan Live stands as a powerful example of how creativity can be transformed into a tool for national development. By connecting people, communities, businesses and institutions around shared goals, the initiative is helping shape a future where culture, social impact, economic opportunity and active citizenship work hand in hand. The public, corporate sector and development partners are invited to become part of this growing movement and help ensure that “The Final Stroke” is not only a successful premium auction and exhibition, but a catalyst for lasting impact across Botswana.
FOR SUPPORT, PARTNERSHIP OR INQUIRIES CITYFAN LIVE
Powered by Korwe BrandWorks Founders & Creative Directors Victor Leshomo & Clement Kedikaetse Main Mall, Gaborone Facebook: Korwe BrandWorks Email: korwebrandworks@gmail.com Tel: (+267) 71701996 / 75384672 “Creating Impact Through Creativity, Community and Culture.