12 Sep 2019

Botswana Telecommunications Corporation (BTC) on September 11 launched the 2020 phonebook cover and Thapong Artist of the Year (TAYA) competitions in Gaborone.

The 2020 phonebook cover competition, which carries the theme: BTC at 40, will target youth in schools, whilst the TAYA awards targets all artists to encourage them to earn a living through art.

BTC board of trustees deputy chairperson, Baagi Mmereki said the corporation was responsible for the delivery and management of a corporate social investment (CSI) agenda hence they invested in impactful and sustainable initiatives that benefitted communities across Botswana.

Mmereki said BTC’s CSI efforts were guided by four sponsorship focus areas of wellness and sports development, arts and culture, entrepreneurship, innovation and environmental protection.

BTC has for years been the official sponsor of the phonebook cover design competition, he said.

Mmereki said the arts and culture strategic pillar, which drived the BTC/Thapong sponsorship and partnership to grow, promoted the visual arts industry and that in 2016, it increased to include TAYA. The sponsorship, worth P1.7 million, covers the BTC phonebook cover competition, TAYA as well as the training and development of art teachers.

He also said artists would be sponsored to attend workshops and share skills with an array of established professionals from across the SADC region to ensure international exposure and to widen their scope.

The overall 2020 competition sponsorship is P416 600 and includes prize money, administration fees, training and development. ENDS