22 Feb 2024

Representatives from the creative industry and media sector engaged with the Minister for State President, Mr Kabo Morwaeng to share ideas on how to grow the sector for the benefit of the creatives.

The Sectoral High-Level Consultative meeting on creatives, arts and media, held in Gaborone on Wednesday, was also attended by the permanent secretary in the ministry, Ms Goitsemang Morekisi and vice chairperson of Business Botswana Creative Arts and Media Sector Mr Tonderai Tsara.

Minister Morwaeng said the meeting was an open dialogue to deliberate on policy-related matters as espoused under the objectives of the High-Level Consultative Council for constructive engagements between business and government leaders.

He acknowledged the potential of the Creative Arts sector in the economy and the impact it could have in changing the livelihoods of Batswana, particularly the youth.

This, he said was evidenced by government’s efforts in structurally enhancing the Department of Broadcasting Services studios, particularly the opening of Studio 4. “This will facilitate quality production of content contributed by both local and global producers with the aim to transfer skills to Batswana and create avenues within the television value chain,” he said.

Mr Morwaeng also noted that during the meeting, they shared ideas on how to commercialise television, and subsequently develop and further grow the creative industry. 

Mr Morwaeng said government would continue to extend the development of the creative sector facilities to other areas in Botswana to facilitate talent as demonstrated by the Department of Broadcasting Services roadshows.

Appreciating the media, Mr Morwaeng said the sector was at the centre of development with government committed to regularly engaging with the members on issues of national development.

“We have strengthened the government communication team to facilitate accessibility and provision of information timeously to all media houses. 

The core of our openness to you eliminates absence of commentary by senior government officials pursuant to cultivating relations that shall extend to education of citizens on government policies, programmes, initiatives and activities,” Mr Morwaeng said.

As the country approaches national elections, Mr Morwaeng implored editors to continue to ethically perform their duty with zeal for objective reporting on issues affecting Batswana and what government was doing to mitigate such challenges.

Meanwhile, Mr Tsara expressed gratitude at government’s effort to focus on the creative arts and media sector as a source of growth and jobs in the economy.

He said they had also discussed issues that inhibited the growth of the job market and creativity in the industry. 

He said his main message was on fixing the commercial model of advertising for the benefit of all players in the industry.

Other stakeholders talked about the concerns and issues in their respective sectors of advertising and production, film, and media.

“We also talked to policy interventions which we think government can do to make the sectors more robust and thrive for the benefit of all,” Mr Tsara said. Ends