15 Apr 2013

Cultural activities can play a role in the country’s efforts to diversify economy. Assistant Minister for Presidential Affairs and Public Administration, Dr Gloria Somolekae said this during Maitisong Festival 2013 official opening ceremony in Gaborone on April 13.

Somolekae stated that artistic performances such as the Kuru Dance, Maitisong and Domboshaba Cultural festivals, among others, offered attractive entertainment and could be great avenues for cultural tourism.

She said festivals could become an entertainment attraction for both local and international tourists if well packaged, noting that this would diversify the economy by expanding the tourism base as people would not only come to the country for wildlife attractions, but also to enjoy cultural heritage.

The sector, she said, had enormous economic benefits such as employment creation, adding that being employed was important because it gave people a sense of purpose and opportunity to live a productive and fulfilling life.

The cultural industries sector, she said, was an entertainer, stress reliever and enhanced the quality of life for those who consumed its services. She expressed gratitude that the event’s theme: Acts of Poverty, was aligned with the poverty eradication drive, saying this year saw the first steps towards commercialisation of the festival.

Artists, she said, would be in a position to make money from the festival and graduate them from the social status they were in.

Somolekae noted that the deliberate effort to sync Maitisong Festival with other festivals in the region were commendable efforts, which would no doubt help grow the sector, thus generating more job opportunities.

She further said government saw it fit to introduce the constituency art competitions and President’s Day competitions, despite the economic meltdown, to promote the arts and ensure that artists get recognition and reward for their talent.

The prize money received by artists, who participated in the 2011/12 constituency art competitions and the President’s Day competitions was over P50 million.

Government also issued a directive on the procurement of local crafts for decoration of government offices in 2008. Somolekae said this had created a market for local artworks and by the end of 2012 up to P950 000 worth off products was procured from artists by different ministries.

The event had presentations of Marimba by Maru A Pula band and a variety show which featured Mophato Dance theatre,Tlotlo Bogatsu, Luckymore Kwapa, Shirley, Mino the pianist and Mbali Kgosidintsi. ENDS