26 Jun 2017

Senyawe councillor,  William Tatose has implored artists to use their talents to diversify the economy.

Speaking at the Presidential regional poetry and choral competitions held in Tati Siding on Saturday, councillor Tatose said agriculture and mining sectors alone cannot sustain the country and there is need for diversity.

He said the arts industry if taken seriously can be used to diversify the economy and he implored artistes to aim at creating job opportunities, not only for themselves but for others as well.

Councillor Tatose said apart from providing entertainment, arts eliminate idleness among the youth that can result in them engaging in criminal activities.

Ministry of Youth Empowerment, Sports and Culture Development (MYESCD) coordinator for the North East, Phineas Kgare said this year’s Presidential Arts Competitions come at a time when the ministry is in the process of re-engineering to improve service delivery.

He said the ministry emphasizes on empowerment and development aspects and intends to energise the youth and develop arts as a way of growing culture.

He aid with the ministry’s theme, “My Life, My Future, My Responsibility” the ministry intends to ensure that the youth take responsibility of their future. He further informed the audience that MYESCD introduced a communication centre to ensure feedback from beneficiaries and give opportunity to itself to give updates.

He said the ministry will engage all stakeholders at district level and will ensure the improvement of Tirelo Setshaba programme. He said through Tirelo Setshaba programme it will make sure that participants get skills to start their own businesses and develop their lives at the completion of their service.
Kgare said as part of developing the arts,  artistes directory will be introduced with information of who and where they are.

“As a way of developing the film industry the ministry in the process of introducing the second channel of BTV and we are hopeful that it will start this year,” he said.

Proposing a vote of thanks, councillor Dumani Kelepi of Tati Siding West thanked the youth for utilising government programmes that are aimed at empowering them.

He noted that the country is faced with a challenge of unemployment and it is upon the youth to utilise their talents to create job opportunities for themselves and others.

The theme for this year’s Presidential Arts Competitions is “Creative industries a vehicle for sustainable development”. ENDS
/duka