14 Feb 2024

Batswana have been encouraged to use their talents and skills to better their lives and improve the country economically.

This was said by Ministry for Sate President permanent secretary, Ms Goitsemang Morekisi said during the launch of Season Two Road Show by Department of Broadcasting Services (DBS) in conjunction with Big Dawg Productions in Mahalapye recently.

Morekisi said Botswana’s reliance on exports remained a challenge as most of the country’s revenues were injected outside borders.

She said the Ministry for State President fully supported organisers’ efforts because they were in line with government’s principles of democracy, dignity for all and ensuring that resources were nurtured to the benefit local communities.

The roadshow had laid bare the fact that the arts industry carried a lot of potential and that Batswana could derive their livelihood from it in different ways, Morekisi said and added that Batswana were creative and other nations enjoyed Botswana’s creativity.

Morekisi said art had potential to improve cultural tourism in Botswana and encouraged youth whom she said possessed a lot of talent, to get out there, be recognised and assisted accordingly to create jobs for themselves and others.

She said the first DBS roadshow unearthed many talents in which a lot of people were assisted.

The roadshow targets 31 villages. With the level of talent Batswana have, Morekisi said they could establish businesses, create employment, alleviate poverty, diversify economy and contribute to the country’s development goals.

DBS director, Raymond Tsheko said the roadshows were part of engagements the department had embarked on in order to stimulate growth of the music industry.

“Re ribolola ditalente tsa bana ba Batswana tse di ntseng di iphitlhile,” said Tsheko.

Tsheko said artistes were expected to directly benefit from Department of Broadcasting Services nationwide road show meant to stimulate the creative industry.

He stated that local music would be played in RB1 and RB2 and Botswana Television (Btv) in order to promote local artistes.

South Africa-based radio personality and entrepreneur, motivational speaker and owner of Big Dawg Productions, Thato Sikwane aka DJ Fresh, said he was pleased to be part of the project.

“In this industry, we have to work together.  Through this tour we will engage with many artists with the aim of empowering them on how they can better enhance their craft,” he said.

DJ Fresh said Botswana had talent that needed to be nurtured, adding that government was committed to grow the arts industry.

He said the roadshow was a great empowerment project for the creative industry noting that priority was given to artist collaboration.

Khoisan talent manager, Theo ‘Suffocate’ Kaartze praised DBS for promoting local music through shows and broadcasting their music on Radio Botswana and Btv. He said the show had made a lot of difference in unearthing hidden talents. Ends