10 Feb 2016

Companies and Intellectual Property Authority (CIPA) on Tuesday disbursed grants amounting to over P11 million to various creative industry development projects.

Speaking at presentation of the cheques, the acting Minister of Trade and Industry, Advocate Sadique Kebonang, said the Levy on Technical Devices Fund was established by government in 2008 to support creative industries towards viability, sustainability and competitiveness.

The acting minister said the fund was open to individuals, companies, non-governmental organisations and government departments. He said the grants ranged between P10 000 and P1 million. It was rolled out over a maximum of 36 months.
On Tuesday, 13 projects were handed their cheques and Advocate Kebonang said the number of successful proposals had been increasing over time since inception of the fund.

Some of the beneficiaries came from rural areas, to which he said government was delighted to see the programme benefiting previously disadvantaged communities.
Kebonang said the creative industry could add value to the economy of Botswana.

“There is no shadow of doubt that the creative industry can contribute immensely to job creation, poverty alleviation, economic diversification and towards other development goals of this country,” he said.

He further said CIPA had been assigned to carry out a study to determine the economic contribution of the creative industry and was being funded from the Levy on Technical Devices Fund.
Kebonang said the results would go a long way in informing strategies aimed at developing the creative industry sector in Botswana.

He implored the beneficiaries to be diligent with the use of the proceeds from the fund.

“I would like to urge you to view this grant as an opportunity to serve Botswana’s creativity as well as your own personal growth,” he said.

He added that the government must see jobs created, sustainable businesses up and running and creative works of Batswana granted space in the international arena.

“We cannot afford to be people who have no results to show for resources entrusted upon us,” he said.
The funded beneficiaries have been classified under six categories namely, book publishing, theatre, traditional music, film and television production, software development and crafts and capacity building.

Under Book Publishing, Modirwa Kekwaletswe has been given a grant totalling P630 000 to produce a book and documentary on the life of Ratsie Setlhako and his music.
Diphalana Publishers have been granted P941,500 to produce a comprehensive book about Setswana cultural practices and language.

In theatre, a total of P2 989 000 was  to be shared amongst Reetsanang Association of Community Drama Groups, Children Association of Performing Arts Botswana and Boitshepho Angela Nyati.
 Reetsanang was allocated P997 000 to enhance copyright and intellectual property awareness through training of 40 affiliated community drama groups.

Children Association of Performing Arts received P999 000 to educate and develop children’s theatre techniques, improve their theatre etiquette and harness their craft. Nyati has been given P992 000 to raise community awareness about the role of women in creative arts.

Under traditional music, Tse Tilodi Traditional Dance Group has been granted P985,000 to empower youth cultural groups in 10 villages in Chobe District on traditional song and dance. David Slater has been allocated P584 000 to create a music library storing local history, which would be accessed by the public and could be used by local and international choirs.

Makgabaneng has been given P947,000 for production of Mareledi and Cowhorn Productions is to receive P998,000 to produce a television talent show. Black Oak Consulting has been granted P875,000 to produce a computer application aimed at improving learning in pre-primary school children through incorporation of fun games and using native languages.

Ngamiland Council of Non-Governmental Organisations, Talita Seleso Moutloase and The Okavango News are to share the P2,328,000 allocated under Craft and Capacity Building. Ends