01 Mar 2015

People can make a living out of song and dance. 

President Lt Gen. Seretse Khama Ian Khama said in an interview in Tsabong after he attended a Polka festival that, through arts, people could create employment opportunities for themselves and others.

The event, which was held at at the Tsabong Eco-tourism Camel Park, was organised by Ngwao Loshalaba Association in conjunction with the Ministry of Youth, Sports and Culture, Botswana Tourism Board and Tsamama Trust.

The President said the idea of having arts competitions was borne after the realisation that there was so much unearthed natural talent, hence the demonstration and resurrection of those cultural norms. He said another good thing about the arts was that they enabled the younger generation to witness the cultural aspects that were being threatened by extinction.

Earlier on when giving a keynote address at the event, the Minister of Youth, Sports and Culture, Thapelo Olopeng applauded organisers, saying it was a positive start that should be encouraged. 

He concurred with the President that the festival, which he described as an event based tourism could create employment opportunities for individuals and in the process diversify the economy of the country.

The minister told hordes of polka fanatics, that they must expect quality display because most of the groups that were taking part competed in constituency arts and Presidential competitions. He urged other districts to come up with similar initiatives, which would afford them the possibility to display and preserve their culture.

Olopeng encouraged the hosts to reward artists accordingly and ensure that the community benefitted from the event as well. The event was sponsored to the tune of P150 000 and it had attracted various groups from across the country, mostly in the Kgalagadi region. ENDS