07 Aug 2022

The creative industry has potential to export Botswana culture.

Minister of Trade and Industry, Mmusi Kgafela, said this when launching a three-day Makgabaneng International Creative Arts Festival (MICAF) ain Gaborone on Friday.

Kgafela said MICAF provided a space for the creative industry to network, adding there was potential market for entrepreneurship development that could enable Botswana artists to grow and eventually be competitive in the international space.

“This initiative will not only create employment but will also encourage the infusion of an entrepreneurial culture to our creative industry where communities are encouraged to learn and adopt existing and new entrepreneurship traits and progressively promote global competitiveness,” Kgafela said.

MICAF seeks to create an understanding that the creative industry is a diversification tool for Botswana economy and can immensely contribute to economic development.

Kgafela said this was important especially in these times of changing economic environment.

The launch programme included performing arts such as saxophone by Sax Giveon, poetry by Goabaone Tholo, contemporary dance by Stellar Atsile, a model parade fashion show by Black Trash designers as well as a theatre performance by Tsoga Africa Theatre group.

The event programme for the weekend  included a music festival headlining some of Botswana’s cream de la de crème such as La Timmy, MC Theo, Vee Mampeezy, Miss GeeKays as well as South African musicians; Pabi Cooper and Master KG.

The three-day event ended with a business seminar for women by South Africa’s actress, Lusanda Mbane and a gala dinner. ends