07 Jun 2020

First National Bank Botswana (FNBB), in partnership with the FNBB Foundation, will continue supporting the creative industry beyond COVID-19, says director of marketing and communications, Peo Porogo.

In an interview recently, Porogo said the vast talent and creativity from artists motivated them to support the sector, adding that the journey did not begin with COVID-19.

“The talent that our creative industry possesses is just out of this world. These are the people who kept the nation entertained and sane during lockdown,” she said.
She also said FNBB was about youth empowerment and supporting the creative industry. She said they often engaged artists during events, adding that it was fitting for the bank to support the arts, as it was among the most hard hit sectors by the COVID-19 pandemic.

Porogo said FNBB contributed P1.5 million to the COVID-19 relief fund in support of the creative industry through an initiative called Bodiragatsi Jwame, Lentswe Lame, in which various categories had to send COVID-19 related proposals.

She revealed that they received over 1 300 submissions across all categories, adding that most of the submissions were from short film documentaries and music categories.

Porogo said the massive talent in the creative sector still needed more exposure and support to grow in the country.

During the lockdown, artists were also supported by the Ministry of Youth Empowerment, Sport and Culture Development. They earned a share of the P70.2 million set aside to also relieve athletes and youth businesses.

One of Botswana’s comedians, Abel Maruza said comedians had not been getting much support from government, as they usually got exposure during the President’s Day competitions.

“As comedians, we are not engaged much in the country moreover that when the country went into lockdown, it became very hard for us as we depend on events to make income,” he said.

He said during such a grim time, the relief funds donated to sustain those in the creative industry would make a difference, although it was not enough.

Maruza said government could support by engaging comedians in most of their events as well as benchmarking from other countries on how they promoted their creatives, adding that even in formal settings people needed to laugh.

He said artists should not despair as tough times came with more opportunities.

He said artists could take advantage of social media platforms to upload their works online to garner more recognition. Ends