31 Aug 2020

Minister of Youth Empowerment, Sport and Culture Development, Tumiso Rakgare, says thorough evaluations of applications for COVID-19 relief subsidy has caused delay in payments of some artists.

Speaking at a meet and greet session with artists in Maun on August 30, Rakgare said evaluations of applications was necessitated by the need to ensure that some artists did not benefit from artists relief subsidy as well as from Ministry of Finance and Economic Development’s subsidy.

He further said there were cases of some artists who had failed to follow guidelines when applying for subsidy, adding that some had even failed to submit all the required documents, which had delayed the process of preparing for their payments. 

So far, he said over P12 million out of a total of over P16 million had already been paid to artists.

Rakgare further informed artists in Maun that the anticipated National Arts Council would ensure growth in the industry.

He said the National Arts Council bill would soon be tabled during the ongoing Parliament and was hopeful that it would be approved.

National Arts Council if established, he said would allow arts industry to run independently and also oversee other developments such as music schools.

Rakgare said ministry had done thorough consultations with youth, legislators and other stakeholders.

One of the artists from Mavuyashere Seperu Cultural Dance group based in Ikoga, Kayzer Nfila said the council was a welcome development, which would help protect arts industry especially artists based in remote areas, whom he said, were not treated well by some documentary producers who use their services at meagre amounts.

Nfila also requested ministry to consider reviewing and increasing the National Arts Competitions prizes.

A member of Pinagare Cultural Group in Maun, Onameditse Baleseng appreciated minister’s visit and requested ministry to fast track payments of subsidy, saying only four out of 25 members of their group had been paid. 

Monaga Molefi also known as Stiger Sola also welcomed the envisioned National Arts Council,.

Maun East MP, Goretetse Kekgonegile urged ministry to fast track payments of artists as they were hit hard by COVID-19. 

Kekgonegile also urged artists to consider collaborations for better progress. Ends