24 Nov 2019

Thapong Artist of the Year (TAYA) and BTC Phonebook cover award contribute towards the vision of a knowledge-based economy, says Minister of Youth Empowerment, Sport and Culture Development, Tumiso Rakgare.

Addressing artists at the annual TAYA and BTC Phonebook cover awards, Rakgare said closely linked to the knowledge-based economy was the rapid digitisation, which was now a key consideration within the creative sector.

He said artists had found the need to manipulate technology in developing their designs and creativity.

He said Botswana was looking for fresh ideas as an alternative model and new perspective for economic transformation through creativity. He said Botswana need to shape the world she wanted for job creation opportunities in the creative industries and come with ideas that would lighten up the cities and refresh our spaces.

“Creative industries have a big role to play in Botswana’s development,” he said adding that the creative sector provides a vehicle for job creation through many facets such as fine arts, crafts, music, film, jewellery, media and publishing and fashion design.

The minister said the creative sector contributed 5.45 per cent to the Gross Domestic Product.  

Botswana, he said had bilateral and cultural agreements with various countries adding that such platforms helped promote capacity building, skills and talent development through various benchmarks such as exchanges, residences and workshops.

For his part, BTC Foundation chairperson Kgosi Michael Mothobi said the arts must be viewed as a potential contributor to economic growth, job creation and social emancipation.

Kgosi Mothobi said the arts played a distinguishing role in the history and culture of a people, as they were not only a platform for civic dialogue but they also revealed who we were as a society.

Meanwhile, Phenyo Moatlhodi scooped TAYA with prize money of P45 000 in the ceramic and crafts category.

The phonebook cover prize went to Lambert Baikakedi of Kgari Sechele School winning P40 000, second prize was won by Tlotlo Maleke with P20 000, followed by Tom Ramaeba with P10 000 and both from Naledi Senior School.

The Young Artist of the year award was won by Kefilwe Sentsho, who won P15 000.

Mmegi newspaper’s Mompati Tlhankane won Best Journalist award while his colleague, Kennedy Ramokone won the Best Photographer award. They both took home P5 000. ENDS