08 Sep 2024

Parliament has approved an urgent bill to amend the National Arts Council Act, ensuring government support for the National Arts Council of Botswana (NACB) in executing its critical mandate.

Presenting the Bill under a certificate of urgency on Thursday, the Minister of Youth, Gender, Sport and Culutre, Mr Tumiso Rakgare introduced the Bill, highlighting its importance to the future of the arts sector in Botswana. The NACB Act, which came into effect in November 2020, is pivotal in driving the development, support, and coordination of arts and cultural activities throughout the country.

“The Council is mandated to commercialise and grow the creative industry,” Mr Rakgare stated, underscoring its role in regulating and optimising the potential of the creative sector for economic gain.

He emphasised that the council’s contribution to the economy  could not be overstated, as it served as a vital engine for growth within the arts community.

According to Minister Rakgare, Section 22 of the Act allowed for funding through appropriations made by the National Assembly, however, this stream of revenue was limited to a three-year period from the Act’s commencement.

As the Council commenced operations in 2022, the minister expressed concern that without continued government support, the Council could not sustain itself.

This, he said  prompted an amendment of section 22 (c) of the Act to expunge the part that dealt with the time period of three years, such that the council may continue to enjoy funding from government.

He said the bill was brought under a certificate of urgency on the basis that the Act commenced in November 2020, while the Council started its operations in 2022.

Mr Rakgare said since starting operations, the council has not been able to generate its own funds as it was not yet fully resourced.

He said such entities were typically non-profit making organisations providing a social service, hence worldwide rely on government funding which was not time bound.

He also added that there was limited private sector support towards the creative sector hence the need for continued funding by government.

Mr Rakgare said the period of three years as stated in the Act, would lapse before the beginning of the next financial year, therefore creating the urgency to amend the Act by removing the time stipulated.

“If this is not dealt with now, the council will not be funded through appropriation made by the National Assembly and this will culminate in loss of jobs both at the council and in the creative industry,” he said.

Debating the Bill, Shashe West MP, Mr Fidelis Molao said NACB was mandated to empower youth and creative sector to use their talent to make an income and improve their livelihoods.

Therefore, he said it was important to aid the council to be able to generate its own funding rather than having dependency syndrome on government.

However, he said since the council was yet to stand on its own and generate its own funding, it was important for government to assist it with funding.

MP of Sefhare-Ramokgonami, Dr Kesitegile Gobotswang also welcomed the amendment of the Act as it was opening up for the creative industry to get funding from government, and by so doing empower the youth to unearth their talent.

Gaborone North MP, Mr Mpho Balopi said the creative was a big sector, therefore since it was still in its embryonic stage, it needed support from government.

Mr Balopi said the sector had potential to contribute significantly to the Gross Domestic Product (GDP).

Responding to the debate, Mr Rakgare said the Bill was clear and intentional as it was meant to grow and sustain the creative industry by providing NACB with funding beyond the initially stipulated three years.

He said government had in mitigating COVID-19 aftermath, came up with measures to resuscitate and sustain the creative industry.

Mr Rakgare said P70 million was used for relief of artists, P39 million for content creation, P14 million for cross country recordings of artists during the COVID-19 era.

However, he said it was important for the council to generate its own funds, as funding from government was not sustainable as they were other competing sectors.

He said through funding from French Embassy of more than P12 million, government was able to support setting up the NACB office and its programmes. ENDS