17 Sep 2020

 The proposed National Arts Council of Botswana law would serve to regulate and optimise potential of the creative sector for economic benefit.

Minister of Youth Empowerment, Sport and Culture Development, Mr Tumiso Rakgare, said this when presenting a National Arts Council of Botswana Bill for second reading in Parliament on Tuesday.

He said establishment of an arts council would be in line with the National Policy on Culture, which recognised that arts needed to be given necessary support if they were to grow and create job opportunities.

“It further recommends the creation of appropriate institutions such as a national arts council to enhance development of the arts and culture in Botswana,” he stated.

Mr Rakgare said the arts sector in Botswana had grown with an increase in the number of practicing artists and their active participation in different programmes, which he said was demonstrated by participation of about 14 000 artists in President’s Day competitions and about 6 000 in constituency arts competitions annually.

Furthermore, he said there had been significant increase in the production, recording and exhibition of local artworks.

Mr Rakgare told Parliament that the creative industry lacked a coordination structure, which resulted in the ministry being overwhelmed by programme implementation and requested for both financial and technical assistance.

He said the sector, which had many associations, trusts, companies and individuals was not well coordinated, adding that lack of self-regulation stifled growth and development of the sector.

“If properly coordinated and harnessed, the creative industry has the potential to create job opportunities and contribute to the economy.   A national arts council will be instrumental in driving the cultural and creative industries to realise their full potential,” he said.

Mr Rakgare said key provisions proposed in the bill were to provide for establishment of the council as a corporate body and sets out its functions and establishment of an 11-member board of the council.

Furthermore, the bill sought to deal with meetings and proceedings of the board and to empower the board to retain specialist advisers and form committees.

The billl also sought to deal with appointment and duties of the chief executive officer as well as the senior officers and other staff, while the CEO shall be appointed by the minister on the recommendation of the board.

The board shall provide the minister with an annual plan and accounts of the council and matters relating to registration with the council as well as renewal and revocation of registration, are also provided for in the bill.ends