06 Mar 2022

While striving for independence, artistes have been urged to form strategic partnerships as such would enable them to accomplish their dreams.

Some artistes have ideas, but lacked finance, as such roping in partners would help them execute their ideas. This was said by Dreamers Avenues creative director, Ontiretse Tshiamiso following the organisation’s workshop themed;  Where to From Here in Gaborone on Friday.

The workshop, which attracted local and South African industry players, discussed problems and sought solutions to troubles encountered by artistes in the country.

Tthrough the workshop, creators learnt that they needed to take initiatives and be in a position to lead by example while putting value on their brands. Tshiamiso said such would help them break barriers by being independent than always expect someone to drive their ideas.

Tshiamiso said one could have an idea, but decide to give other stakeholders shares in order to execute a successful event.

He also said platforms such as Youtube were ready to consume the artistes’ content, but said the requirements alone such as having million viewers was a challenge as some did not have such following.

He said such challenged IT developers to design some systems through which they could upload their music, put profiles for sound providers, DJs and make-up artistes among others to be able to earn revenue.

Tshiamiso said the other goal was for local artistes to find ways to bridge gaps between them and South Africa as well as the rest of the continent.

In that manner, he explained that they found it pertinent to invite foreign delegates to assist them fit into the right space to engage with the right people.

He said interacting with knowledgeable people would not only enhance the local industry, but help to fashion their talents.

Amon g the quests was South African Siya Metane, whom Tshiamo said ran a well-established Digital Marketing Agency, which had helped South Africa and global artistes’ music to be profiled.

He further noted that the plan was to organise the conference every three months to keep artistes abreast with latest global changes.

Tshiamiso encouraged local artistes to network with experienced and established players in the industry’s various fields.

For her part, Malebogo Marumoagae, founder and director of Excellence Acute Solutions Consultants said that her company helped with personal development, training on personal branding, professional imaging and professional intelligence, among others.

Marumoagae was invited to share with artistes how they could position themselves to forge ahead, especially after being disrupted by COVID-19.

South Africa’s Sibu Mabena, who runs Duma Collectives, a creative communications agency that manages brands, artistes and does public relations, said she was interested in exchanging ideas and knowledge with the Botswana counterparts.

A first timer to Botswana, she said she was happy to have been afforded an opportunity to meet up and share what she was unable to accumulate in the years she had been in the creative industry and also be able to help others forge ahead.

Mabena said she had realised that young people lacked knowledge on how to make use of the information they acquired to enhance themselves.

She expressed hope that the workshop attendants would tap from her experience. ENDS