06 Nov 2022

Government has pledged to facilitate the creative and artistic industry.

Speaking during the Department of Broadcasting Services (DBS) and Big Dawg Productions Road Show in Tonota Friday, Assistant Minister for State President, Dumezweni Mthimkhulu said the pledge was in recognition of the potential the industry had to significantly transform Botswana’s economy.

He said this initiative was also part of a whole host of engagements that the ministry had embarked upon to stimulate growth after the negative effects of COVID-19 on the creative industry, which effects were still being felt event todate.

Mthimkhulu said the initiative was in line with government’s commitment to enforcing 80 per cent quota for local artistes on the state broadcasting platforms.

The road show, which runs  under the theme; #Re Mo Tseleng, has reached 25 villages including  places where outreach activities were conducted, thus making a positive impact on the livels of young people, businesses and the community at large.

“As we traverse the country, we are intentional in ensuring that the expedition leaves a trail of benefits in all villages and cities through lodging, catering and logistics,” said Mthimkhulu.

Furthermore, he said such an arrangement ensured that money went into the pockets of small and medium enterprises across the country and subsequently enhanced the economy while at the same time improving people’s lives.

The road show has so far conducted eight capacity-building workshops in Kanye, Tsabong, Ghanzi, Shakawe, Gumare, Maun, Letlhakane and Kasane attracting 500 creatives.

“Some of the topics covered during the workshop included how artists and film makers could make use of studio capacity at DBS and provide content without equipment constraints,” said the assistant minister.

He urged creatives to take full advantage of the venture since the recently launched multi channels required a lot of local content about Botswana and the citizenry.

Mthimkhulu noted that through this initiative, over 204 artistes had been given a chance to showcase their talents on stage in afore-mentioned villages and nine had collaborated and recorded new songs with DJ fresh.

For his part, Thato Sikwane, aka DJ Fresh advised artistes to never feel contempt about themselves, but push hard to achieve their goals.

He encouraged artistes to learn and use multiple languages in their products.

He also urged them to be active in producing films and record songs to feed both radio and television.

DJ Fresh also implored the community to support artistes by  purchasing their products.

Meanwhile, Tonota MP, Pono Moatlhodi praised local road show participants for undertaking the noble adventure.

He also encouraged them to produce songs that narrated the history and culture of this country.

Moatlhodi also praised Radio Botswana and Botswana Television employees who had for several years plied their trades tirelessly to feed the entire nation with news, current affairs and entertainment.

He pleaded with the minister to re-introduce Inola Radio Programme and start with his constituency as children had been longing for it to reach out to their peers via radio. ENDS