04 Dec 2018

There is a need for all stakeholders, companies, the private sector and individuals to gear towards creating a platform for the growth of the creative industry to augment government efforts on the same.

Speaking at We Can Charitable Trust launch in Palapye, the Permanent Secretary to the President Mr Cater Morupisi said President Dr Mokgweetsi Masisi in his State-of-the-Nation

Address (SONA) recently, underscored the importance of participation by the community and private sector to support the education sector in moulding, guiding and mentoring leaners.

In the same vein, he indicated he would like to see the young generation coming out as well-rounded citizens.
“My desire is that the life skills capacitation of every child should result in them being competitive with children of comparable age in the most competitive countries.” He said.

He said as observed from the President’s SONA, government has identified arts and culture sector as another key vehicle towards the promotion of sustainable economic development.

He said the creative industry that the trust sought to leverage on had a great potential to create employment, diversify the economy and earn foreign income. The creative arts sector strategy, he said, is currently being developed with the intention to finalise it at the end of next month.

He said the private sector and the community would  undoubtedly play a meaningful role in delivering the objectives of the strategy.

“The inception of the trust could have not come at a better time, as young the generation is  moulded to be able to compete in this sector not just nationally, but globally and they built not just a future for themselves, but a legacy for this country as well,” he said.

He emphasised that the trust had the potential to develop a child holistically from a tender age imparting life skills and guiding them to fully utilise their talents to earn a living.

“I have no doubt that with the empowerment from the trust, the young generation of today and the generations to come will get a greater opportunity to shine and thrive with their endowed talents,” said Mr Morupisi.

The PSP commended the director and board of the trust for having come to a worthwhile decision to establish an institution that had the interest of children at heart, noting that it was always gratifying to be part of and witness momentous occasions of the birth of the Trust that would be providing a platform for children to showcase their talents.

Outlining the purpose of the Trust and how it was formulated,  the director and founder Ms Mmapula Moatswi said she and her family including their siblings identified their talent at a tender age,

Ms Moatswi, a professional artist, senior teacher sports and art teacher at Simon Ratshosa Primary School in Serowe said following further studies in art abroad felt that arts teachers were under utilised in Botswana.  

She said after identifying talents from their daughter thoughtout the years they looked for best ways to assist the young girl to unleash her talents and that was the birth of the trust.

Ms Moatswi said the primary objective of the trust was to unearth, develop and nurture the creative and performance talent in young people as well as coordinate and enhance the growth of creative and performing arts from the grassroots level, focusing on people of all ages, whether schooling or out of school. They also assist people with disabilities and those from marginalised groups.

She said in order to promote competitive artists, knowledgeable youngsters should have a platform to make them understand and be in a position to produce and compose on their own.

She acknowledged that the project was not an extra ordinary one, but has a potential to allow young people to unleash their talents and said many thing could be done by art teachers to assist in paintings, structuring, cooking and sport. Ends