07 Mar 2021

Preparations are underway for the Botswana International Music Conference (BIMC) annual conference scheduled for March 24^th and 25^th in Gaborone.

The convener, Seabelo Modibe, said in an interview that the conference would discuss challenges imposed by COVID-19, lessons learned and opportunities that come with the pandemic.

Modibe said due to the COVID-19 safety measures the conference would be held virtually and partly live. 

“Thirty participants will attend physically while others will connect through the BIMC website and other social media platforms,” he said.

Modibe noted that they had lined up 15 speakers, seven of which would be from South Africa while eight would be from the country. 

“The speakers are personalities with experience in the creative industry, media and several others so as to make the conference resonate well,” he said.

Those from South Africa include the famous DJ Tira, Executive Record Label and property owner, Thato ‘Fresh’ Sikwane, media personality and social entrepreneur, Zhakhele Mzalaza, the director of African Affairs CD Baby, Karabo Motitjoane and the general manager Sheer from Musi Imbizo, Shele Mbele.

He said locally they include Thapelo Pabalinga from GIMC, Tonderai Tsara from dialogue and Business Botswana, policy specialist from Ministry of Youth Empowerment, Sport and Culture Development Gao Lemmenyane, IP and copyright consultant Bathusi Lesolobe and others.

Modibe further said some of the identified challenges to be discussed was digital migration which included transitioning from CD and cassettes to loaded online. “This is a serious challenge as there are few online music stores locally.  Additionally, there is less access as few people can purchase music online because of several issues that include copyright among others,” he said.

He said some of the opportunities they would encourage artists to tap on was for them to use their popularity to diversify into business entities such as tourism, hospitality and farming.

 

BIMC is organised by Events Lab  in partnership with the Ministry of Youth Empowerment, Sport and Culture Development. ENDS