23 Oct 2022

Government is committed to the promotion and investment in the creative industry to preserve culture and generate a livelihood for artists, President Dr Mokgweetsi Masisi has said.

Delivering a keynote address at the Andante Chorus 10th anniversary gala dinner in Gaborone on Saturday, President Masisi said in realising how the arts could contribute to economic diversification, government set up policies to enable the artistic sector to thrive.

“I am happy to inform you that government has prioritised the arts and culture as a vehicle for advancing socio-economic development. Over the years, we have supported this sector and facilitated its growth,” Dr Masisi said.

He said through the National Arts Festival, previously known as the President’s Day Competitions, government had since 2008 supported the growth of the arts, with 18 200 artists participating in 67 genres at a cost of P5.2 million annually.

He further noted that through an act of Parliament, the National Arts Council formation was facilitated to serve as an umbrella body overseeing development of the creative arts in Botswana.

“The arts council will drive commercialisation of the arts in Botswana through specially tailored programmes and collaboration with arts and culture associations, and it shall enter into commercial deals with players across different sectors of the economy, especially the private sector,” Dr Masisi said.

Furthermore, the President told his audience that the revised CEDA guidelines allowed for the creative industry to use talent as collateral to secure funding.

He commended Andante Chorus for its strategic plan for the next decade, where they pledged to work with government and the private sector to create a hub of musical and cultural interactions.

“As the government, we seek ways to constantly unearth musical and other artistic talents in Botswana and market it across global audiences.

This is done through various avenues, including the supporting of performing artists and ensembles to participate at events across the world, and signing of Memoranda of Understanding with different countries and stakeholders,” the President revealed.Andante Chorus founding chairperson, also Minister of Minerals and Energy, Lefoko Moagi, said the classical and choral music group was contributing to the Reset

Agenda by unlocking opportunities for young people.

He said the many choristers who participated in the Ramotswa-based group had become disciplined and focused on their education and personal development.

Founded in 2012, Andante Chorus won the then President’s Day Choral  Competition in their year of formation and over the years earned top three positions in other competitions such as the Botswana Choral Music Association Annual Competition and the South African Old Mutual National Choir Festival. ENDS