21 Jul 2015

The President’s Day competitions were introduced in 2008 to expose and promote the country’s arts and culture.

Speaking at the President’s Day awards ceremony, President Lt Gen. Seretse Khama Ian Khama said he had realised that there was erosion of arts and culture emanating from social elements such as modernisation and urbanisation.

“The most worrying factor was that it would have been the youth in particular who would have lost contact with our tradition pertaining to understanding and appreciation of our rich culture,” he said.

He indicated that the government started the competitions with a modest budget of P790 000 in prize money, which now stood at about P2.5 million.

“With the feedback that we got, it was very necessary that we expand the activities in relation to this event,” said President Khama, adding that this did not include logistics and other related costs.

He stated that it was not only the youth that had benefited from the competitions, as elders had been participating actively.

“I have also been made to understand that these competitions also contribute meaningfully to the aspect of cultural diplomacy and tourism,” he said, indicating that those who got podium positions at national level were sometimes accorded international exposure through participation at international expositions or performing at Botswana Day abroad in collaboration with the country’s diplomatic missions.

The Minister of Youth, Sport and Culture, Mr Thapelo Olopeng, said President Khama had been a champion in changing the form and meaning of the President’s Day celebrations, and that his ministry was committed to creating a conducive environment for the development and promotion of arts through such events. ENDS