24 Mar 2019

Permanent Secretary in the Ministry for Presidential Affairs, Governance and Public Administration, Thuso Ramodimoosi says the Creative Arts Sector Strategy will be finalised next month.

Addressing patrons at KTM 25th anniversary celebration gala dinner on March 23 on behalf of President Dr Mokgweetsi Masisi,  Ramodimoosi said government was working hard to develop strategies geared towards diversification of the economy through creative arts.

He indicated that the strategy would see the sector developing and becoming profitable to local artists.

He also noted that the strategy would help guide government’s intervention or support towards the development of the creative sector, which he said had enormous potential in reducing unemployment in the country.

Ramodimoosi said government was however concerned by the lack of governance skills by most of the creative sector players.

He stated that the time had come for the creative sector to ensure that it addressed the current challenges of lack of effective management and accountability.

He advised artists to develop proper structures and systems that could enable government to give them full support, in order to benefit from the creative sector strategy.

Furthermore, he said it was time for the arts and creative sector to consider establishing a Council that would regulate and finance its operation.

He said the creative sector should organise and reposition itself to grow to another level

Ramodimoosi commended KTM Choir for its structures that promoted quality and inclusiveness, as well as establishing a Board of Trustees to provide oversight and direction to the choir as well as to promote good governance.

He also applauded the choir for its dedication and team spirit that it had displayed over the years in the development of the creative industry in Botswana.

He said KTM choir had significantly contributed to the growth of the creative arts in Botswana, adding that over 25 years the choir had been at its full complement, building a strong brand within the choral music industry.

KTM choir was founded by the late Gomolemo Motswaledi along other music greats like Leepile Lefenya and the late Belpert Kauraisa.

Earlier in an interview,  Lefenya indicated that KTM was formed in the principle of developing and nurturing music talent as well as a voice among out of school youth, teach music and compete internationally among others.  To date, Lefenya the choir was still living to the ideals of its formation as it continued to nurture talent and compete internationally in addition to other ideals that the choir still live to. ENDS