11 May 2014

A group of youth has embarked on a project intended to transform the entertainment industry.

They have established a talent agency; Youth Minds Talent Agency (YMTA), an organisation they say will help to nature and groom upcoming artists, actors, poets and models.

The agency will also endeavour to tackle growth of the industry in Botswana and to see that all youth have a platform to explore their talents to their fullest potential. The agency will help any young person who wishes to peruse a career in entertainment with the relevant resources.

Propelled by the love of Hip Hop music and its lack of prosperity in Botswana, YTMA managing director, Pholo Kgomotso said in an interview that they had noticed a gap in the market and the number of talented youth roaming the streets and “sitting on goldmines that can take Botswana to greater heights.”

“We want to unleash talent from the youth and market them in the international scene,” Kgomotso said.

He also indicated that they have already approached local artists and all relevant stakeholders to see the progression and growth of the project. 

To date, he said, they have clinched a recording deal with Mulabisc who will be providing recording opportunities for upcoming “Vee Mampela’s and the Zeus of the future.” 

Again, the agency would also embark on interactive workshops with actors and poets for them to know how to penetrate the untapped market of Botswana later this year.

On the other hand, the agency marketing manager, Mogomotsi Ranonyana, said they would not concentrate only on youth in urban areas but the rest of the country.

Ranonyana added that they were also looking into inviting international artists to come for motivational talks and to uproot talent through road shows to some of the remote areas in Botswana.

Also, he indicated that the Ministry of Youth, Sport and Culture had already thumbed up the initiative and were looking into forming a partnership.

Though the agency was established in August 2013, it is still work in progress and would be officially launched in July this year. 

The launch would incorporate a panel of local artist veterans, international artists, rap/kwaito battles and a podium for all performance artists in the country.Ends