06 May 2015

Culture district coordinator for Ghanzi District, Gobonaone Ramoupo, say artists need to be more creative and innovative.

In an interview with Ramoupo recently, he said there was growth in artists; but the problem was that they were reliant on government initiatives. He quipped that for artists to grow their brand and career, they needed to come up with their own initiatives and independent projects.

He explained that with the available grant at his ministry for artists, they wished to see more artists coming up with initiatives which could develop them and take them forward in diversifying their career.

Performing artists enjoy the fruits of among others President’s Day competitions as well as Constituency Art competitions. These being government initiatives to empower youths in arts, Ramoupo noted that artists need to embark more on workshops and invite and interact with experienced established artists in order for them to also have the skills to make it in the showbiz industry.

He said they should desist from always benefiting from initiatives put in place by government; but rather use grants availed and come up with initiatives that will take forth and develop their careers.

He cautioned especially Ghanzi artists on ways to innovate their rich cultural traditional dance and song. He said with grants availed, artists have an opportunity to invite music experts and milk ways on how to diversify their traditional song and dance and make it modern without losing its originality; thus paving way for corporate gigs and also making their music sustainable and appealing to all without having to pull assistance from government officials.

Meanwhile, with President’s day competitions approaching Ramoupo said they received positive response in registration on various categories. He said they maintained the same standard as of last year with the same interest from artists.

However, he noted that there has been some development in the Basketry category which has received 93 participants compared to non last year. He further explained that of the 93 entries 62 are youths while 31 are elderly people.

According to Ramoupo, these entries are native North Westerners from the Ngami district who are now residing in Ghanzi for various reasons; and said they welcome the development at his ministry and hope the category grows in years to come.

The fashion category also has participants with three entries. Also of note is the slight decrease of entries in choirs this year; Ramoupo noted that traditional choir has 11 entries while choral has only one entry and said that is an extreme case as there has always been more entries in choral over the years.  Ends