21 Aug 2019

 Permanent secretary in the Ministry of Youth Empowerment, Sports and Culture Development, Kago Ramokate says consultation is a key strategy hence government has acceded to changing the Cinematography Act of 1970.

Speaking at a consultative meeting of Cinematography Act Review in Francistown on August 19, Ramokate said it was important to bring the Act up to date.

He said the review of the Cinematography Act would assist in developing the whole value chain as the film sector could not operate without the transport sector, hospitality, catering and other sectors.

“As cinematographers are in competition with other countries, they found it vital that the legislation should be fair not forgetting that there were skilled people in Botswana,” he said.

The law, he said would look at how revenue was constituted and what could constitute offences regarding cinematography.

Ramokate noted that they expected to have an Act, which would facilitate the running of the country’s affairs at the same time generating employment.

Policy specialist responsible for arts and culture in the ministry, Dineo Phuti said development of the film industry in Botswana was still at an infant stage and there was need for the establishment of appropriate governing, implementing and regulatory structures and fully resourced structures.

This, Phuti said, aimed at creating employment, diversifying the economy and bringing foreign direct investment in the country.

On the other hand, she observed that there were challenges facing the film industry, such as the absence of coordinating and regulating structures, permits, licenses and others.

Other challenges, she said included absence of training institutions, industry not fully exploited, lack of funding, unharmonised policies and legislation, lack of suitable infrastructure like cinemas and a small market in terms of film exhibition.

She furher said the film industry dates back to the 1850s, where pictorials on Tswana arts and crafts was shown and other major cinema works featured title films in the 1900, including documentaries and films like Beyond Black and White.

“Photographic slides shown around 1896, showed Botswana villages like Palapye and Shoshong area. Motswana film maker in 1930s, Molefi Pilane showed slide shows in Mochudi,” she said.

In her welcome remarks, Francistown district commissioner, Chabongwa Matseka said cinematography was not only an art but a business hence it was paramount to discuss and review the Act.

Matseka said the need for consultation as a country was key, as it would help improve the businesses of artists to reach a larger audience.

She attested that ‘this day comes at a time when filming is commercial’ and could improve people’s lives and the country at large.

She said it was time to wake up and improve the Act for the benefit of all and the coming generation. ENDS