10 Nov 2016

Minister of Youth Empowerment, Sport and Culture Development says the arts and culture industry in Botswana remains an untapped source of youth empowerment that can turn the economy around as it is big and has a lot of potential.

Speaking after being presented with an Honorary Ministerial Award by Botswana Music Union (BOMU), Thapelo Olopeng urged BOMU to focus more on their mandate and achieve better results for all those within the sector.

“I want to encourage you to focus on your mandate and do not be put off by criticism. Criticism is normal and we all make mistakes, but the important thing is what one does after those mistakes. Pick yourself up and move forward,” he said.

He said the award shows the contribution government has played over the years with regards to the arts and culture industry and it is appreciated.

Olopeng further informed the BOMU delegation that his ministry still has plans of establishing an arts and culture council that would help with the facilitation and growth of this untapped industry.

“But I must inform you that we as government still face challenges like finances and I want to urge you not to rely much on us, but rather be self-sustaining and maybe we can only help with office accommodation when the council is established,” he said.

He further said since he made the pronouncement that government broadcast media would play 100 per cent local music in the run up to the independence celebrations, he has been getting growing calls on continuing the pronouncement.

“I do not think that it would be a good idea for us to close our borders to foreign music and I think maybe we can at least say 60-70 per cent of local music should be played on our local stations,” he said, adding that he was proud with local broadcasters for having heeded his call on playing local music during the run up to the golden jubilee celebrations.

He noted that Botswana has amazing talent and closing its borders to foreign music would work against the country when trying to export its limitless talent.

“Artists like Amantle Brown are amazing and I must tell her that she has talent and should focus more on growing it and we cannot isolate ourselves from the rest of the world,” he said.

Patron of BOMU, Kagiso Ntime applauded Minister Olopeng for having been exemplary when he kept his cool during the lead up to the golden jubilee celebrations with regards to people that “insulted” the minister on social media.

He said they are due to meet with the minister in a week or two to discuss BOMU and other issues moving forward.

BOMU secretary general, Pagson Ntsie advised the youth in the entertainment industry to exercise caution when deliberating issues on social media and know that they are role models and should carry themselves as such.

He thanked Minister Olopeng for having engaged BOMU affiliates on the BOT50 theme song and doing everything he could to empower Botswana artists. ENDS