07 Nov 2022

The creative industry in Botswana has for a long  not being taken as a profession. The artistes were regarded as bo rrasekanta or mmasekanta   and most parents discouraged their children to join the industry.

However, times have changed  today there are  schools of arts such as AFDA and AWIL colleges which provide courses on arts.

Recently AWIL college saw 70 students graduating in different courses such as BA in Motion picture medium, in live performance among others.

Speaking at the AWIL College Graduation Ceremony on Friday, the Assistant Minister in the Ministry of Education and Skills Development, Ms Nnaniki Makwinja said parents should desist from choosing career for their children because  they might  not succeed due to lack of interest.

However, the assistant minister said she was  impressed by AWIL College’s bold step of providing Film, Music, Television and Performance education.
“These are new professions in Botswana therefore I encourage all to accept them and know that children can only be successful when following careers they are passionate about,” she said.

Ms Makwinja thanked the school for its dedication since 2015 and said the school had produced some notable alumni who continued to serve the creative industry with diligence.

She encouraged the school to remain relevant and continue to grow as they also offer other modern creative professions in the country.

About the benefits of the creative industry to the country, she said it promoted culture, innovation and produced jobs and growth.

The assistant minister described the graduates as inimitable because they had conquered through the COVID-19 pandemic.

“Today is your special day and you might be celebrating this academic achievement without your loved ones who succumbed to the pandemic,” she said.

She also expressed gratitude to the teaching staff for their dedication, zeal and selfless service.

For her part, the College principal Dr Macdelyn Mosalagae said the school offered courses in the creative industry because they were promised to boost the country’s economy.

She said the creative industry had proven that it could create jobs and generate income as well as drive the country’s economic and social innovation. ENDS