How they see us

Artists to give Bonnington silos facelift

LEKOPANYE MOOKETSI
Correspondent  from Mmegi Newspaper

The National Museum and Monuments, in collaboration with the Department of Youth and Thapong Arts Centre, has commissioned local artists to paint murals on the silos located at the Bonnington farm. The Bonnington farm is located in Block 5 near the Grand Palm Hotel. The silos are visible along the Gaborone-Molepolole road. The murals will depict the history of the farm.National Museum and Monuments deputy director Steve Mogotsi said the Bonnington silos are considered to be a national monument.Mogotsi said their future plan is to turn the farm into an open-air museum. He said they could also exhibit the agro-related implements, which are stored in the silos. If funds are available, they also intend to rebuild the farmhouse and convert the it into a mini museum. Another possible addition could be a coffee shop. The mini museum could be used as a place where people could gather for relaxation and leisure walks. He revealed that the silos project is going to be launched next month.Mogotsi said they are working on this project in partnership with the private sector and the community as part of their "adopt a monument strategy". The museum boss said they have already approached a number of companies and the response has been positive. Relating the history of the silos, Mogotsi said the structures were initially part of the extended farms. He said it was Bakwena Kgosi Sechele who had allocated the farms to some white farmers. He revealed that the Bonnington farm has exchanged hands on several occasions. The farm was taken over by the government in 1975. Mogotsi said there was a big store adjacent to the farm, which was used as a trading centre. The store was located on the spot where the shopping complex has been built.Although tribes in nearby villages like Mogoditshane used silos to store grain to ensure their food security, the ones at Bonnington were used as fodder storage facilities.





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