For young author and educator Keaobaka Pearl Kgosi, the recently concluded Maun Trade Expo was more than an opportunity to sell books. It was a bold step towards taking her literary work beyond the pages and into the wider world of business, entrepreneurship and community engagement.
Kgosi, author of Subtle Letters: Your Venting Journal, participated in the Maun Trade Expo held from 1–3 October 2026 at The Life Center, joining businesses, entrepreneurs, organisations and emerging enterprises from different sectors.
Unlike many exhibitors who arrived with established businesses and extensive product portfolios, Kgosi entered the Expo as an emerging creative determined to introduce her work to a broader audience.
The experience, she said, exposed her to the realities of building a brand and reinforced the importance of young creatives occupying spaces traditionally associated with business and commerce.
“For me, the Expo became more than an opportunity to display my book. It became a space to learn, connect, ask questions, exchange ideas and understand what it truly means to build a brand,” Kgosi reflected.
Her participation also challenged the conventional perception that authors belong primarily in bookstores, libraries or literary events.
Through conversations with exhibitors and members of the public, Kgosi discovered that literature can find a home in unexpected spaces — including trade exhibitions where ideas, products, businesses and people converge.
She believes young writers and creatives should not wait for platforms specifically designed for the arts before showcasing their work.
“We can occupy business spaces, entrepreneurial spaces and networking spaces too,” she said, emphasising the value of learning from established businesses while contributing the unique perspectives of young creatives.
For Kgosi, Subtle Letters represents more than a publication. The venting journal creates a space for personal expression and reflection, while her participation at the Expo demonstrated how a literary product can become part of broader conversations around creativity, entrepreneurship and personal development.
The three-day exhibition also gave the young author an opportunity to network, exchange ideas and develop new perspectives about the future of her work.
She left the Expo with new connections and ideas, but perhaps most importantly, with a renewed sense of confidence about the possibilities ahead.
Kgosi commended the organisers of the Maun Trade Expo for creating a platform that brings businesses, entrepreneurs and young people together.
She noted that such platforms are important because entrepreneurship extends beyond selling products.
“It is also about creating relationships, exchanging knowledge and discovering possibilities,” she said.
Her journey at the Maun Trade Expo is ultimately a reminder that emerging creatives do not have to wait until they are established to take up space.
For Kgosi, the courage to participate was itself an investment in her future.
As she continues her journey as an author and educator, her experience in Maun offers a simple message to other young creatives: sometimes, the first step towards building something significant is simply having the courage to show up.
