19 Jul 2022

 National Arts Festival formerly known as President’s Day competitions have become the pinnacle of the heritage month and a great platform for showcasing the cultural talents and diversity of Batswana, read a message from president Dr Mokgweetsi Masisi at the awards ceremony that marked the conclusion of the 2022 National Arts Festival in Gaborone, Monday.

President Masisi’s statement further described the National Arts Festival as a national activity that brought the nation together in a spirit of celebration.

“The National Arts Festival is a vehicle that assists us in the greater appreciation of our diverse cultural heritage,” it stated.

President Masisi also said in the message that the competitions were aimed at uplifting the skills and lives of the participants.

In addition, he said the programme was also meant to address the issue of economic diversification and poverty alleviation as well as curb idleness of youth across the country.

Since the inception of the programme in 2008, it is stated the number of participants increased from 3 274 to 14 364 this year.

Acting President Slumber Tsogwane and Minister of Youth, Gender, Sport and Culture,  Tumiso Rakgare, presented winners of various categories with medals.

Bakang Moiti, popularly known as Bacon was awarded for best music video.

Thebe Kegomoditswe was presented with an award for best video production while best composer of choral music award went to Gabriel Nngwe with best in mentorship (Visual Arts) award going to legendary Phillip Segola.

Minister Rakgare had earlier thanked government for the establishment of the National Arts Council of Botswana (NACB), a body envisaged to run the National Arts Festival pending finalisation of a proposed transition plan, which is expected to transform the arts sector.

He also revealed government plans to build a National Theatre complex in Gaborone.

The project is said to have been approved in NDP 11.

The centre is tipped to be the centre of excellence for artistic creation, talent development and skills transfer.

“The project will be built through a Public Private Partnership model in recognition of the shortage of resources on the part of government,” Minister Rakgare said.

He congratulated all the winners of the 2022 National Arts Festival and urged them to maintain the momentum.

He appealed to the losers not to despair,  but take their loss as a challenge to do more in the next competitions.

The audience was treated to electric performances from the 2022 ensemble as well as groups and individual performances

Winners walked away with cash prices ranging P2 500 to P50 000 depending on the category.

Some of the winners are Nandavwe group in the category of best seperu from Satau.

With a cash price of P30 000, the group has won several medals under this category for four consegutive years from 2010.

Khoesip won best Namastap category and walked away with P30 000.

The Tsabong-based group formed in 2019 first performed at the Nama cultural festival and has also performed at Keetmanshoop Nama festival in Namibia.

Best comedian award and cash price of P10 000 went to Richard Kayoka, a stand-up comedian, MC, actor and voice-over artiste based in Kasane.

Tashatha Bango won best female model and P10 000.

The 26-year-old has participated at the Africa Fashion International Show, Fashion Without Borders and featured on the Elle Magazine (South Africa).

The competitions were held under the theme; Creative Industries, a Vehicle for Sustainable Development.   BOPA