The voices of Botswana’s young storytellers took centre stage in Maun as Nkashi Trust’s Stories of Our Land exhibition drew acclaim for its intimate, unfiltered portrayal of life in the Okavango Delta. Running from 31 October to 7 November at the Nhabe Museum, the exhibition brought together the work of 30 young photographers from rural communities, highlighting a generation ready to shape the future of Botswana’s creative industries.
Speaking on the vision behind the exhibition, project lead Karabo LeBronpeter Moilwa said the intention was to present the Delta through a lens rooted in local authenticity.
“We wanted visitors to experience the Okavango Delta through a truly authentic and unfiltered lens from the eyes of its young people,” he said. Moilwa added that the team hoped visitors would appreciate the creative talent emerging from rural communities and “leave with a profound sense of responsibility to support this next generation of Batswana storytellers.”
He said the images were meant to spark deeper public reflection, noting: “Fundamentally, we hoped these images would spark critical conversations and questions about culture, land stewardship, and the future of conservation in Botswana.”
The participating photographers, aged largely between 12 and 25, are part of the Nkashi Storytelling Clubs, a youth-focused programme under the Okavango Eternal partnership between National Geographic and De Beers Group. According to Moilwa, the exhibition has an is a springboard for future careers.
“We view this exhibition as a vital launchpad for their careers. By participating, they gain essential confidence, build professional networks, and receive valuable industry exposure that is otherwise difficult to access,” he explained. He emphasised that portfolios built through such platforms can open doors to scholarships, jobs, and collaborations. Above all, he said the aim is for youth to recognise that “their unique, local stories hold immense global value and deserve attention.”
However, Moilwa noted that many of the young storytellers face significant barriers. Coming from rural and remote areas around the Delta, most lack access to basic tools and mentorship. “Many lack fundamental resources like equipment, stable internet access, or access to formal, high-quality training,” he said. Even travel distances and limited exposure can suppress confidence, prompting Moilwa and his team to constantly reflect: “How different would their growth trajectory be if they had the same resources as their peers in urban centres?”
The Okavango Eternal partnership has played a transformative role in closing some of these gaps. Moilwa explained that support from National Geographic and De Beers has enabled Nkashi Trust, as the local implementing arm of the National Geographic Okavango Wilderness Project, to expand training and establish two Nkashi Knowledge Centres in Maun and Beetsha.
“Youth now have access to two Nkashi Knowledge Centres… where they can convene as part of any of our six Nkashi Storytelling Clubs and hone their skills,” he said. The partnership, he added, is crucial in “intentionally and systematically grounding the narrative of the Delta in the voices of its own people,” ultimately shifting the storytelling power dynamic towards local communities.
Looking ahead, Nkashi Trust is working on expanding the initiative to reach more villages across the Okavango. Plans include more exhibitions — including travelling showcases — and advanced training programmes in wildlife photography, filmmaking, digital storytelling, and archival work. Moilwa also highlighted the growing importance of the Stories of Our Land online platform, noting that the Trust is enhancing its functionality to give youth better visibility and global access to opportunities.
He said the organisation is actively seeking long-term partnerships to support mentorship exchanges, equipment access, and sustainable creative career pathways. The broader ambition, he explained, is to build a lasting ecosystem rather than a temporary project:
“We keep challenging ourselves with the ultimate question: How can we build a system that survives beyond individual projects and grows into a permanent creative ecosystem for Delta youth?”
