Neo Matome-Harun is employed at the University of Botswana in the Centre for Continuing Education as a Graphic Designer. She holds an MFA in Computer Graphics Design from the Rochester Institute of Technology, Rochester, New York, USA, and a BA (Hons) in Graphic Design from Coventry University in the United Kingdom. Neo worked as a Research Officer on the Southern African Development Community (SADC) Regional School of Art and Design Project, which was based in Harare, Zimbabwe (1992 – 1994). This EU funded Project entailed researching the visual arts, design and art education, inclusive of their potential for employment generation within the then ten member SADC states of Angola, Botswana, Lesotho, Malawi, Mozambique, Namibia, Swaziland, Tanzania, Zambia and Zimbabwe. During her stint as an Art Curator at the National Museum and Art Gallery in Gaborone, she was involved in promoting the visual arts of Botswana through a programme of exhibitions and workshops. 

Neo currently serves as Deputy Chairperson of the Creative Industries Sector Committee, under the Human Resource Development Council (HRDC). The HRDC is mandated with transforming the education system of Botswana so as to address skills gaps and create an alignment with the needs of industry. To this end, she has a keen interest in researching how the arts, design and creative industries can help enrich the lives of people in Botswana and provide opportunities for economic diversification. Neo was a curriculum development group member of the Botswana Technical Education Programme (BTEP) which developed the Certificate in Jewellery Design and Manufacture Programme, currently being offered at the Oodi College of Applied Arts and Technology.   

Although she has served as a judge for several art exhibitions, the highlight for Neo was being invited as Chief Judge for the 2011 Bank Windhoek Triennale in Namibia. In 2010/11 Neo had her first solo exhibition in Mozambique and Botswana, and was one of ten winners in the Diamond Trading Company (DTC) Shining Lights Awards. In 2008 she was the Thapong Artist of the Year Award winner. She is a Kellogg Fellow and an alumnus of the Kellogg Southern African Leadership Program.

PUBLICATIONS

Last Modified: Wed, 13 Sep 2017 14:40:54 SAST