KURU Guestbook

Message from Ambassador S.C. George at the opening of the virtual exhibition of the Kuru artists of Botswana in Amsterdam on 7th November 2000.

Dear esteem guests and friends of Botswana, Good evening.

It is a great honour and privilige for me to join you today in Amsterdam, thousands of kilometres from the D'Kar in western Botswana, to participate in celebrating this wonderful exhibition of the unique art form of the Kuru-San people.
Kuru-san are renown for their deep love for nature, and for their sustainable use of natural resources. In fact they are known to revere some of the very animals they hunt for food.
To day, through exhibitions such as this one, it has become possible to widely publicise the Kuru-San art form for the world to see and appreciate, and through it, hopefully, better understand the culture and way of life of these self-respecting people.
I welcome and applaud the initiative taken by the Africa Server Foundation in futher exposing the Kuru-San art form. I am hopeful that, with the active support of the international community, the Kuru-San community may find a way of augmenting their living standards through the increased sales of the paintings.
As would most people in Botswana, the Kuru-San would most welcome any self-employment and income generating initiative which will boost their self-esteem. I trust that you will find this exhibition both attractive and appealing to your tastes and that some of the paintings will indeed find their way into your homes and museums and art galleries.

Thank you very much,

His Excellency S.C George

Brussels - Amsterdam - Gaborone 7 november 2000

His Excellency S.C George

Brussels - Amsterdam - Gaborone, Benelux

Tuesday, November 07, 2000 at 18:30:05 (CET)

The Botswana National Museum has a pleasure in presenting an exhibition of artworks from Kuru Art Project. At the same time we are honoured to be jointly facilitating the opening of the Virtual Exhibition on the website.
This is the first time ever the Botswana artists have been featured in the Internet and I believe this exhibition would go a long way in the promotion of the arts in Botswana

Stephen Mogotsi <national.museum@gov.bw>

Gaborone, Botswana

Tuesday, November 07, 2000 at 18:28:34 (CET)

Well I must say this site really helped me with a project I was doing. I had to write something about any organisation
in my country that would make it look appealing to anybody who has never been there and well I thought you can
never go wrong with the Kuru Development Trust so I gave it a shot and I was very impressed with the amount of
information online.

chiedza sebele <chiedzas@netscape.net>

Sydney, Australia

Tuesday, June 05, 2001 at 02:05:38 (CEST)

great vitality
thank you

stephanie radok <sradok @camtech.net.au>

adelaide, australia

Sunday, May 27, 2001 at 14:19:46 (CEST)

erg mooi om van zo ver weg weer even terug in botswana te zijn en jezelf weer over de weg zien rijden van gabs naar ganzi en het dorp en de belevenissen weer aan je voorbij zien gaan.

rachel <rachelkruitbosch@hotmail.com>

rijsbergen, nederland

Thursday, March 29, 2001 at 20:57:33 (CEST)

My daughter mailed your page to me as a present - and what a wonderful one! I love your pictures.
And they make me long for Botswana so that my heart aches!

Lena Norrman <lenanorrman@mail.bip.net>

Soderkoping, Sweden

Thursday, March 29, 2001 at 20:26:09 (CEST)

wow!That is absolutely breathtaking, very beautiful, imaginative and creative. This just goes to show that we do have talented people in Botswana. If only we could tap on oyr talents-all of us life will be amazing. For those who have got talent-do not despair on whatever it is you are doing.

maggie mabechu <bechu@goplay.com>

gaborone, botswana

Saturday, February 03, 2001 at 15:29:24 (CET)

What a brilliant piece of work.When i browsed through your web page i felt very touched and nostalgic, but it was very reassuring to see a very positive message about our own ethnic and cultural identity as well as our ancestral heritage. Ke boswa jwa bo-rraetsho a re rute bana ba rona ditso.

lorato jones <l.jones@poolle.gov.com>

England

Wednesday, December 20, 2000 at 17:26:11 (CET)

I've enjoyed working with KDT from the start and wish you well. An added pleasure is being able to share the art with my special friends around the world.

Dave Williams

Gaborone,

Tuesday, December 19, 2000 at 05:13:25 (CET)

Dumeláng KURU people - what a surprise to find your marvellous art and your affecting artist profiles www!!!! I hope and pray to work and stay with you one day....Barbara

Barbara Haimerl <barbaBAP@t-online.de>

Landshut, Germany

Monday, December 18, 2000 at 23:16:12 (CET)

Lo dira tiro e ntle thata batho ba gaetsho, Always I am asked about your paintings by my colegues, but as I am not artist it is very difficult to expalin to them. Kare tshwarang ka thata.Le ka moso.
Gosiame

Mogapi luke Maphakela <mogapilu@hotmail.com>

--
Maebashi, Gunma, JAPAN

Friday, December 15, 2000 at 07:34:27 (CET)

This is Beauty at its best.

I am of the view that Government must introduce Arts & Paintings as a subject for Primary Schools or have the Arts & Paintings Academy. The paintings from Kuru artists are a clear sign that we have abundant and untapped talent in Botswana. We need not look further for Arts & Paintings teachers.

Well done Kuru.

T.E.K Pheko <pheko@bhc.bw>

Gaborone, Botswana

Tuesday, December 12, 2000 at 11:55:19 (CET)

Thank you for sharing your gifts on the Internet. I was
privileged to observe you at work in 1998 when I worked
in the Bokamoso project at KURU. Thank you for the reminders
of your gentle culture via the Internet. I look at my own
Thamae print daily. Keep up the fine work!

Judy Gingerich <judyg@teleport.com>

Oregon, USA

Monday, December 04, 2000 at 04:49:43 (CET)

Ke kgatlhilwe thata ke tiro ya lona betsho. Jaanong ga ke ape fa e se go letsa mogolokwane. Bontle jo kare a go tshwarwe ka thata.
Thank you and keep it UP.

M. Maphakela <mogapilu@hotmail.com>

Maebashi, Japan

Friday, December 01, 2000 at 08:45:29 (CET)

Wonderful, satisfying, just what the world has been waiting for. I had the opportunity to meet DADA at the exhibition in Molepolole (three women, three perspectives). She is a gifted woman indeed!! And all the artist work is of world standard. I will be in Kuru in June 2001. Hopefully, I will get to meet all the artists .I will make a 30 minutes film around Ghanzi, so perhaps I could talk to the organisers of this incredible work ?I work for a local radio station here, and I will invite my listners to visit your site. It is indeed fitting to say a " work of art".!!As a Motswana, I must say, it has touched my innermost being!! Keep it up. PULA!!

Amilia Malebane (University of Tromsø, Norway)
(Botswana Television)

Amilia Malebane <monank24@hotmail.com>

Tromsø, Norway

Wednesday, November 29, 2000 at 20:46:00 (CET)

Wonderful, satisfying, just what the world has been waiting for. I had the opportunity to meet DADA at the exhibition in Molepolole (three women, three perspectives). She is a gifted woman indeed!! And all the artist work is of world standard. I will be in Kuru in June 2001. Hopefully, I will get to meet all the arists .I will make a 30 minutes film around Ghanzi, so perhaps I could talk to the organisers of this incredible work . It is indeed fitting to say a " work of art".!!As Motswana, I must say, it has touched my innermost being!! Keep it up. PULA!!

Amilia Malebane <monank24@hotmail.com>

Tromsø, Norway

Wednesday, November 29, 2000 at 20:40:37 (CET)

A mphelela a le tlhaeng. I miss home when I see this beautiful work. Keep it up

Mogapi L. Maphakela <mogapilu@hotmail.com>

Maebashi, Japan

Wednesday, November 29, 2000 at 08:33:09 (CET)

Our guests never stop wondering about the paintings on the walls in our house. Now it's very easy to refer them to this captivating and inspiring site. Congratulations Batshwantshi ba Kuru and everybody working with the project. Tshwarang ka natla ba ga etsho!

Bookie Masie

Umeå, Sweden

Tuesday, November 28, 2000 at 12:44:29 (CET)

I have just studied your beautiful website and I like it very much,
Sören Karlsson
Chief of Design
Ájtte, Swedish Mountain- and Sami Museum in Jokkmokk.

Sören R. Ch. Karlsson <soren.karlsson@ajtte.com>

Solstäde, Polgatan 1
962 33 JOKKMOKK, SWEDEN

Tuesday, November 28, 2000 at 09:52:48 (CET)

I am very much touched and greatful about this kind of developments in the work of Kuru Develompemnt Trust. I am very glad to see Kuru art work in the internet now after working with you for the past two years, ( currently pursuing my masters degree in Development Studies- University of Sussex,IDS). I will now refer people who want to know about Botswana and our Culture just to the Website. You artists are doing a good job it really shows we are not ashamed of our culture at all. Continue to teach and encourage the younger generation to inherit and take this further. KDT continue to EMPOWER the San in their development. Botswana Museun you are doing a great job . Many thanks to you all. Tshwarang ka natla ba ga etsho.
this website because i will

Masego Nkelekang <gmasego@yahoo.com>

Brighton, England

Sunday, November 26, 2000 at 20:39:35 (CET)

I am very much touched and greatful about this kind of developments in the work of Kuru Develompemnt Trust. I am very glad to see Kuru art work in the internet now after working with you for the past two years, ( currently pursuing my masters degree in Development Studies- University of Sussex,IDS). I will now refer people who want to know about Botswana and our Culture just to the Website. You artists are doing a good job it really shows we are not ashamed of our culture at all. Continue to teach and encourage the younger generation to inheret and take this further. KDT continue to EMPOWRE the San in their development. Botswana Museun you are doing a great job . Many thanks to you all. Tshwarang ka natla ba ga etsho.
this website because i will

Masego Nkelekang <gmasego@yahoo.com>

Brighton, England

Sunday, November 26, 2000 at 20:37:34 (CET)

What joy to find so much imagination grouped together on one site. You've brought inspiration to our work here in Malawi and hope we can one day visit Kuru in person.

Pamela Brooke <media@malawi.net>

www.storyworkshop.org
Zomba, Malawi

Sunday, November 26, 2000 at 17:17:01 (CET)

Mooie expositie--zeer mooie kleuren Goed, nien1

Annie Doekes <d.ks@net.HCC.nl>

Apeldoorn, Nederland

Saturday, November 25, 2000 at 18:39:01 (CET)

Thank you for the exelent exhibison in Stromstad Sweden
I vas enjoyeing it verry much
Kalle Hagskold
Tjarno 2819
S45296 Stromstad
Sweden

Kalle Hagskold <kaha@tmbl.gu.se>

Stromstad, Sweden

Monday, November 20, 2000 at 09:36:04 (CET)

Hello!wE write you from our far country called Russia...i hope you heared about it? :) So, we like your art and we want some of your national pictures in our e-mail box...can u send it? we hope so... bye! Keep goin'!

2pac and Pablo Diablo <pablo_diablo2000@mail.ru>

www.penza.com.ru
Penza (Russia),

Friday, November 17, 2000 at 22:09:33 (CET)

Wow!amazingly great!colour and artistic ability!Thanks to the info era maybe Ii could have missed attending the real exhibition in Botswana.

Mokgweetsi <aabobe@coventry.ac.uk>

Coventry, UK

Thursday, November 16, 2000 at 14:07:04 (CET)

A great exibition of vibrant art by gifted people. Having had the priviledge to visit Botswana this expo brings back pleasant memories.
Best wishes, Kerry Coop.

Kerry Coop <kwcoop@ozemail.com.au>

Sydney, Australia

Thursday, November 16, 2000 at 12:23:03 (CET)

Well, as a dedicated employee of Kuru I am of course a proud man. It looks like it should look: colourful, informative and 'een streling voor het oog'. I am proud to be a apart of this exhibition and to be a part of this organisation and I sincerely hope that this virtual expo will have put the Art Project in the picture of the world and also put the San on the desk of policy makers in southern africa.

Robert Man <robman@info.bw>

Ghanzi, Botswana

Thursday, November 16, 2000 at 07:58:07 (CET)

it is work like this that makes me proud to be a motswana. the next step is to sell this over the internet. many of us who cant make the trip home would appreciate this. the work is amazing, i am deeply touched.

Neo

lansing, MI, usa

Thursday, November 16, 2000 at 01:34:50 (CET)

How delightful to find such joyful art. I hope someday to see the real thing. It is my dream to go to Botswana.

Thelma <tpirot@yahoo.com>

Canada

Wednesday, November 15, 2000 at 22:48:17 (CET)

Very beautiful and inspiring, filling the world with light.
Thank you.

Phillipa Holden <phillipa@hixnet.co.za>

Joburg, South Africa

Wednesday, November 15, 2000 at 19:38:09 (CET)

Thanks for ths wonderful exhibition!
I really enjoyed it.
I miss Kuru and Kalahari so much. It was do lovely days with the beautiful San people.
With a lot of kiss and love,
Iri

Iri Kato <iris@infonia.ne.jp>

Nagoya, Japan

Wednesday, November 15, 2000 at 09:36:38 (CET)

Gogo ntle jang go bona fa lo sa ntse lo thswere ka natla. I was just looking for info to finish my research paper when I came across your very beautiful page. It made me re-appreciate the monthly visits I made to Ghanzi and D'Kar for almost five years as i helped to initiate Habitat For Humanity in Botswana with my family.Greetings to Pastor Braam,all HFH members especially John and his family, Molatole family, and of course my cousin there working with the Botswana Police Force in ghanzi.

Jesse Gasenna <Gasenna@aol.com>

Fortlauderdale Florida, USA

Wednesday, November 15, 2000 at 03:42:18 (CET)

Just found your beautiful page as I was searching for information on Botswana for my reseach paper. Go go ntle jang go bona fa lo sa tswere ka natla.Greetings to Pastor Braam,Molatole family and all those I met while I was working in Ghanzi and D'Kar to help initiate Habitat for Humanity 1991 till June 1996.

Jesse Gasenna <Gasenna@aol.com>

Fort Lauderdale Florida, USA

Wednesday, November 15, 2000 at 03:28:33 (CET)

Jesse Gasenna <Gasenna@aol.com>

Fort Lauderdale Florida, USA

Wednesday, November 15, 2000 at 03:27:48 (CET)

Every day I take the opportunity to dream away looking at the prints I bought during my last visit to D'kar. Now the whole world has the opportunity to see what's happening in Botswana. It all looks great !

Frank C. van der Grijspaarde

Bergen (NH), The Netherlands

Tuesday, November 14, 2000 at 13:20:26 (CET)

As a Motswana leaving in the us i'm very proud of this brilliant web site, which shows the world of our culture and heritage.you guys did a good job, and you made my job much easier of telling people in the pacific about my culture.now i just refer them to the site, and they are all impressed.
Thumps up guys,
Pula !!!!!!Pula!!!!!!

Mooketsi Maphane <orapa10@yahoo.com>

Honolulu, USA

Tuesday, November 14, 2000 at 04:03:30 (CET)

Batshwantshi bako KURU!
Tiro ya lona ke sekao sa botswerere le bokgoni. Bontle ja yone bo tlogela rele bantsi re a tlhoka ale tlhaeng.Tswelelang leka malatsi aatlang gore dikokomane tsa rona batle ba itse gore retswa kae Batswana.

Prinah <mmaagobosa@hotmail.com>

Milwaukee, USA

Tuesday, November 14, 2000 at 04:01:38 (CET)

Hartstikke mooi.
Goed gedaan nientje e.a.

daan van alten <daanimap@teledata.mz>

Beira, Mozambique

Monday, November 13, 2000 at 20:11:06 (CET)

Just can not find enough words to describe this work..it's wonderful, outstanding, fabulous!.. ke tiro ee manontlhotlho thata. keep up the good work

Gil

Botswana

Monday, November 13, 2000 at 14:38:36 (CET)

No doubt, this is beautiful. I hope to see more Batswana come out and show their artistic abilities. I know you are out there.
Let's go global with this thing.
Good health, love and happiness to everyone back home.

Thato <tcdrwa@hotnail.com>

Indianapolis, USA

Monday, November 13, 2000 at 01:20:38 (CET)

im so excited! its beautiful! i have a lot more to share with my american friends.
a big thank you and congratulations KURU!

botlhale marumoloa <bmarumoloa@yahoo.com>

tucson, usa

Sunday, November 12, 2000 at 23:05:26 (CET)

congrats on creating such a beautifull website.came across it when i least expected to and i just cant stop looking at the paintings.those rich vibrant colours make me feel a bit homesick.keep up the good work

pulane mpelega <pulie80@hotmail.co>

bendigo, australia

Sunday, November 12, 2000 at 05:29:38 (CET)

My daughter is doing research on the country of Botswana for a school project; these beautiful works added the perfect touch for a splash of culture. Thanks.

Denise <denisesalerno@netscape.net>

Blairsville,GA, USA

Saturday, November 11, 2000 at 19:11:40 (CET)

Well done!! it makes me proud as a motswana abroad to be able to view art from my country via the WWW. I have given the address to all the Japanese friends who are always keen to know about other peoples culture, art and tradition.
Keep the good work up!

Goweditswe Tebape <Gowe23@hotmail.com>

Tokyo, Japan

Saturday, November 11, 2000 at 17:11:10 (CET)

Dumelang!! It's brilliant to see such a wonderful website! It brings back great memories. I'm lucky to have visited D'kar a few times & have a lino print here in Ireland! Continue the great work, LUCY

Lucy <harringtonlucy@hotmail.com>

Ireland

Friday, November 10, 2000 at 23:51:54 (CET)

lucky me....was directly in D'kar, the most nicely place on earth....thnx for all your love that you ve gave me, i ve learned a lot about myself, lots of hughs to all, miss you so much,.......i m the sister from cees........you remeber?
hello to tomku and she will give my greetings to all that i know.......dumela.......pula...pula :-)

petronella <petronellahans@hotmail.com>

hamburg, germany

Friday, November 10, 2000 at 05:11:39 (CET)

Now I have something to be proud of, from my own people, and I am passing the website particulars to my classmates first thing tomorrow morning. Hopefully this site will be regularly updated to include more of those paintings that artists make in their sleep as majestically asserted by Dada.

Boga Fidzani <fidzani@usc.edu>

Los Angeles, USA

Friday, November 10, 2000 at 03:38:01 (CET)

Thankyou for the opportunity to view some of this wonderful exhibition via the internet - fabulous work.

Allan Crane <allanc@inscorp.com.au>

Melbourne, Australia

Thursday, November 09, 2000 at 21:23:19 (CET)

Thankyou for the opportunity to view some of this wonderful exhibition via the internet - fabulous work.

Allan Crane <allan@inscorp.com.au>

Melbourne, Australia

Thursday, November 09, 2000 at 21:23:12 (CET)

Wonderful to see your fine art on the www!!! Now I look forward to seeing it in person later today. Kuru--as a group--your work just keeps getting better and better! All the best.

Roberta Rivers <rraa@it.bw>

Gabs, Botswana

Wednesday, November 08, 2000 at 13:41:31 (CET)

Ons is bly onse goeters gaan by die groot plekke wat ons ouers nie nog ken nie, want ons het nie geglo ons kan sukke goete maak wat by alle plekke gaan nie. Ek wat Dada is , as ek sukke goete sien, my hart kry so lekker en dan dink ek ek is n ryk vrou. Ek is baie bly om met my goete te gaan so ver, maar as mense vir my se ek is so klein dan se ek maar my naam is tog bo by anner plekke.

Kuru Artists <kuru@info.bw>

D'Kar, Botswana

Tuesday, November 07, 2000 at 19:35:14 (CET)

I find it an honour to be THE framer for the Kuru artists, their work is stunning and it is my job to present it in its best light for every one to see.

Ann Done <annmattias@info.bw>

Gaborone, Botswana

Tuesday, November 07, 2000 at 19:27:50 (CET)

I really enjoyed the exhibition and all the exhibits. It is very fulfilling to experience some form of naturalistic art that you can in a way understand, because it reflects the environment around you. I hope we get to see more of this and also hopefully this is a start for the general public.

segametsi radise <sradise@gov.bw>

gaborone, botswana

Tuesday, November 07, 2000 at 19:20:14 (CET)