23 Nov 2015

The Minister of Youth, Sport and Culture (MYSC), Mr Thapelo Olopeng has told Parliament that the ministry sponsored the Gaborone International Music and Culture Week to the tune of P155 000, attended and provided technical assistance to the event.

Mr Olopeng said the ministry approved funding which was mainly towards prize money for the local performing arts which he said was budgeted for under the MYSC grants recurrent budget. He said the MYSC grants serve to provide opportunities for funding of proposals to tap on the creativity of young people in order to develop the arts, to promote culture and encourage participation in recreational activities.

He added that there was value created from the sponsorship as the event also created spin-off advantages in other sectors of the economy such as marketing, catering, telecommunications, transport and tours, entertainment and cultural tourism.

Nkange MP, Mr Edwin Batshu wanted to know the role the minstry played during the Gaborone International Music and Culture Week, whether there was monetary contribution and how much was pledged. Furthermore,  he wanted to know what value was created out of the pledge, if any, and if the pledge was budgeted for and how the funds were raised. Ends