Africa-Press – Botswana. Since entering the highest office in the country, President Dr Mokgweetsi Masisi has been adamant about empowering the creative industry, which he strongly believes has the potential to generate revenue, brand and market Botswana.
One of President’s top priorities over the past five years was to address the problem of unemployment currently bedeviling young people through the transformation of the creative sector, which was evident through the establishment of the National Arts Council, now actively facilitating cultural exchanges with other countries, as well as encouraging the commercialisation of arts and cultural activities.
President Masisi believes that the creative industry holds great potential to improving Botswana’s economic diversification, employment and earn foreign exchange.
In this regard, government has also offered support to creative by commercialising the sector to include those in the wildlife tourism filming and photography industry.
The President has also pushed for the transitioning from analogue to digital terrestrial TV transmission, which resulted in the establishment of three Btv channels, with an 80:20 policy, where 80 per cent of channel outputs is strictly local.
Furthermore, funding was provided to capacitate Batswana for television and content production, especially the youth.
In 2020, Botswana Fibre Network (BoFiNet) established an Internet TV content aggregation and distribution platform called UPIC. This initiative facilitated broadcasting of local television content over the Internet.
This, without a doubt, was a landmark achievement for the country in facilitating the growth and economic benefits of the creative industry.
Since its launch in October 2020, the initiative has resulted in a total of 90 local titles and 4 000 jobs created across the creative sector and projected to grow with an additional 5 558 job opportunities.
Under President Masisiss leadership, government has implemented the Cross Country Recordings Extravaganza 2021 programme covering both visual and performing arts.
Artistes were reached out to across the country and remunerated for their performances and products. A total of 1 844 artistes benefitted from performance fees of close to P5 million.
Also, as a way of revitalising the creative sector post COVID-19, government has introduced a youth initiative dubbed Department of Broadcasting Services (DBS) National Roadshow to empower the creative, transport, hospitality and tourism sectors.
Government has leveraged on RB2’s s 30th anniversary and used it as a vehicle to inject life back into the industry as well as give grassroots creatives an opportunity to shine.
In this initiative, DBS engaged a renowned Motswana radio personality, Mr Thato Sikwane, popularly known as DJ FRESH to spearhead the two-month tour project.
Having been in the creative industry for over two decades, he jumped on board to share expertise with local creatives on how best they can improve their talent as well as monetise it.
The roadshow engaged over 750 people from various fields such as performers, graphic designers, public relations specialists, printers, merchandisers, photographers and cinematographers.
at the end, the project managed to directly employ 19 full-time staff and over 50 contacted staff from citizen suppliers and service providers.
In yet another government’s effort to improve local content, a contractor has been engaged to refurbish Btv Auditorium and works are currently in progress,.
The consultancy part of the project will be carried out by the Steve Harvey Group, who are expected to provide the technical expertise in high-level content production across various genres such as reality shows, sitcoms, talk shows and game shows.
These are aimed at empowering Batswana producers with skills to produce at highest magnitudes that can attract international audiences’ appeal.
This month, Botswana will yet again be a host to Forbes Under 30 Summit following a successful first-ever edition last year at the initiative of President Masisi.
The move recognised Botswana as an emerging centre for entrepreneurship poised for global growth and innovation.
The 2022 summit brought together young entrepreneurs from Africa, Asia, Europe and the United States for mentorship and networking.
Forbes Under30 puts Botswana at the centre of entrepreneurship and plays a pivotal role in incubating start-ups in the country.
In addition to alleviating the impact of COVID-19, government also offered a financial relief programme for artists as well as athletes and over P19 million was spent in the Ministry of Youth Empowerment, Sport and Culture Development to help them cope with the effects of COVID-19.
Another accomplishment under the current government was launching the University of Botswana High Performance Centre, the first of its kind in the country, which is dedicated to developing and enhancing the sporting talent for both emerging and professional athletes.
In 2021, members of the Botswana men’s 4x400m Olympic relay team were awarded housing units as rewards for the team’s bronze medals won at the Tokyo Olympics.
Francistown underwent a makeover following the renaming of the city’s airport, sports complex and interchange commonly known as a Spaghetti.
President Masisi announced the decision to name the Francistown Airport PG Matante International Airport after former city businessman and politician Phillip Matante.
Other major facilities followed suite in honour of the living legends.
Thapama interchange is now the Kenneth Nkhwa Interchange, named after veteran Botswana People’s Party politician and former North East Member of Parliament while the sport complex is currently called Itani Obed Chilume Stadium in honour of former MP for Nkange constituency.
According to President Masisi, the decision to honour these icons was inspired by their contributions to the country’s history and development.
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