28 Aug 2016

The mayor of Gaborone says the University of Botswana (UB) has for the past 34 years been an incubator of Botswana’s workforce and continues to cultivate this through music art talent that is relevant to the country’s needs, priorities and aspirations. 

Officiating at the first ever UB Festival of the Arts and Carnival Expo (UBFACE) held at UB Campus Indoor Sports Centre on Wednesday attended by among others Vice President Mokgweetsi Masisi and senior government officials, Kagiso Thutlwe said the day marked a night to witness how UB makes a smart move to collaborate with its stakeholders to develop exciting and diverse career pathways.

Mayor Thutlwe noted that from the electrifying performances displayed by the various performing artists the nation could  justifiably expect high-impact products, relevant expertise and sustainable enterprises.

He noted that investing in the arts and creative sector could  contribute to the creative and future well being of Batswana in many aspects. 

Thutlwe said they could create job through the training of young people arts entrepreneurs and creative professionals; income generation by diversifying the economy away from dependence on sectors such as mining and agriculture and also improve rural economic development through the support of cultural tourism projects spearheaded by community-based organisations.   

The  mayor further noted that the move could encourage cultural heritage preservation through the promotion of Botswana produced films, festivals and television programmes and also promote peace and social cohesion by uniting all the people of Botswana. 

In the meantime he said the occasion was meant to set the scene for creative, sustainable future; a future that is not only feasible but also traceable elsewhere. 

The UN’s Creative Economy Report shows how global trade in creative goods and services grew by 8.7 per cent annually from 2000-2005, making it one of the most vibrant commercial sectors in the world. 

In 2005, the value of the export of creative goods reached US$335.5 billion, according figures reported by 130 countries, while exports of creative services totaled US$89 billion. 

Mayor Thutlwe therefore said these figures were an indication of the potential for a creative economy, including that of Botswana. 

He noted that when the call for economic diversification gets embraced by all stakeholders, specifically by investing in the cultural and creative sector, the figures could  become a reality.

Still on the same subject, Thutlwe said across the world, carnivals are a pride of many cities, because they enliven cities, provide cultural exchange opportunities to cities and also generate income to cities.  

UBFACE is an initiative that promotes theatre and the performing arts through collaborative partnerships between the University and the funding community. 

Objective of the First Carnival is to showcase Botswana’s creative designs and diverse cultural expressions and to celebrate the country’s multi-cultural landscape. ENDS