18 Feb 2019

Head of Department of Visual and Performing Arts at the University of Botswana, Dr Thulaganyo Mogobe says government should start investing more in the creative sector.

Speaking at the Love Bite book launch, Dr Mogobe said the creative industry had great potential and its full potential could only be realised if appropriate policies and strategies were put in place.

He said the creative industry contributed a great deal to the Gross Domestic Products of countries around the world.

Dr Mogobe implored government to provide basics to artists to enable them to do their work. 

He said the arts had proven to be of therapeutic value, saying they contributed to the emotional wellbeing of people.

Although there was no high regard of the arts and society do not engage artists in meaningful purposes, Dr Mogobe said it was imperative that society realised that artists were a part of the developmental agenda of the country.

He said society should start attaching value to the arts instead of sidelining them in favour of other disciplines.

Dr Mogobe encouraged artists to work hard and convince people to appreciate their sector. He said their artistic packaging should entice the buyer and market.

He applauded the author of Love Bite saying it was critical to take calculated risks rather than reckless ones.  Authored by Edward Moroka, Love Bite is a 236-page book about true love events. Moroka said his dream started as a small idea, which later turned into a book. ENDs