12 Jul 2015

AFDA Botswana, a tertiary institution that offers motion pictures and performing arts courses, is set to grow the film industry.

When introducing the school to Kgatleng leadership in Oodi on Thursday (July 09), AFDA Botswana executive director, Tsholofelo Ntshingane, said the institution was new in Botswana but had been in existence in South Africa.

He said the introduction of the school was a response to government’s Education and Training Sector Strategic Plan because the film industry gave students ‘a do as you learn skills’.

Ntshingane said “this therefore will produce students who are ready for the market because they will be engaged from the onset and what they do at school will be visible to the world market.”

He said the institution in South Africa had produced great actors, singers and film producers who were doing well in the entertainment and creative art industries.

Ntshingane told the leadership of Kgatleng that collaboration with them was critical as they would be operating from Oodi College of Applied Arts and Technology (OCAAT) and the community should benefit from them.

He also said, through their social responsibility policy, they would select two or three students from the village who have passion and talent in creative arts and sponsor them to study in the school.

Ntshingane told them that the film and television industry had no age limit, adding that it was all about talent and passion,  therefore all were welcome to apply.

His colleague and co-owner Dr Mothusi Phuthego said the school would have three departments; film, television and performance.

Dr Phuthego said they looked forward to creating a powerful network of filmmakers and actors aimed at enhancing the entertainment industry. Ends