20 Apr 2017

Kgosi Tshwaro Masisi of Mabesekwa has encouraged the youth to show interest towards engaging in performing arts to improve their standards of living and create a positive image for their village.

Kgosi Masisi said in an interview that though employment opportunities particularly among the out of school youth continued to be a challenge countrywide, this did not present a platform for the youth to despair.

He said while government was working round the clock to come up with empowerment initiatives such as Youth Development Fund, Poverty Eradication, youth should also try other positive survival strategies such as performing arts.

Kgosi Masisi noted that activities such as poetry, drama, traditional music as well as the art of playing traditional instruments and other related activities could bring in the desired changes towards improving the well-being of individuals.

“Performing arts has the potential to change livelihoods, this will encourage the spirit of being financially independent, hence reducing dependency syndrome,” he said.

Kgosi Masisi also set the record straight that such activities were not meant for those who failed academically as other people in the village perceived.

He explained that some individuals continued to do amazingly well under these activities and they had managed to create a positive image for the country. Moreover, he said such individuals were considered legends and they still managed to provide their families through dividends received from their performances.

Kgosi Masisi further said if the youth could be actively engaged in these activities, this could also give them a chance to make ends meet, while in their home village instead of migrating to urban areas.

He also encouraged those already engaged to keep exploring better opportunities.

“The youth who are already engaged in these arts should not limit themselves to provide entrainment here only during weddings, kgotla meetings and other social gatherings,” he said.

He noted that they should fully make use of the Presidential performing arts competitions to improve their skills and penetrate the industry.

Kgosi Masisi further emphasised the need to be presentable, citing that some artistes had a tendency to be untidy with the intention to attract more audience.

“Though performing arts is all about rib cracking, it is wise that participants remain tidy and presentable. With this attitude people will always have much trust in their performances,” he said. He also encouraged them to be creative and different from other artistes and also to use proper language so that the audience would be able to relate well with the intended messages.

Kgosi Masisi also encouraged residents to make use of their indigenous knowledge to try cultural tourism.

He said though cultural tourism might sound uncommon, efforts to venture into it could be a business opportunity.

Kgosi Masisi also said this could dencourage people to show interest in visiting the village. BOPA