02 Jun 2025

The vibrant Game City rooftop was alive with hope and inspiration on Sunday as the Dreams Alive Club marked its 10^th anniversary by hosting the Dreamers Exchange Festival.

The celebration, dedicated to empowering young creatives and entrepreneurs, drew a diverse crowd eager to connect, learn and be inspired by both local and international figures shaping the country’s cultural and economic landscape.

Officiating at the event, the Vice President Mr Ndaba Gaolathe highlighted several government initiatives aimed at fostering youth development.

He cited programmes such as revitalising technical and vocational training, integrating cutting-edge sectors like artificial intelligence and green technology and establishing creative hubs and studios.

Mr Gaolathe said one standout initiative was Start-Up Botswana, which provided grants, incubation and procurement opportunities for young entrepreneurs. Additionally, he said the new Creative Industry Policy was aimed to monetise local talent and establish Botswana as a regional hub for arts and entertainment.

He said that in a global economy exceeding US$2 trillion annually, Botswana’s creative sector had immense potential to carve out its own share.

“Your voice matters. Your ideas matter. Your time is now,” Mr Gaolathe declared, igniting a sense of pride and purpose among the attendees.

Despite this optimism, he acknowledged the significant challenges facing youth, notably a youth unemployment rate of 33.5 per cent.

 “The failure has not been yours,” he said, adding, “it has been ours.”

He explained that government was rolling out initiatives to align education, technology and innovation with economic growth, urging young people to recognise their strength and actively shape their future. The nation’s progress, he stressed, depended on youth innovation and determination.

Mr Gaolathe praised the organisers for creating a platform that elevated local talent and stressed the importance of nurturing homegrown creators across various sectors.

What made the event even more distinguished was the presence of Hollywood stars -Meagan Good, La’Myia Good and Dijon Talton, whose participation, Mr Gaolathe said, underscored Botswana’s rising influence in the global creative scene. He said their involvement symbolised a bridge of collaboration and opportunity, inspiring local artists, filmmakers, designers and entrepreneurs to aspire beyond borders.

He also stated that the country’s rich history provided a solid foundation for a new wave of innovation driven by young talents reshaping Botswana’s narrative across film, music, fashion, coding and business.

Furthermore, the Vice President extended an open invitation to international creatives such as the Hollywood stars present to collaborate with local talents through masterclasses, co-productions and digital storytelling initiatives. He expressed confidence that such partnerships would foster a vibrant Botswana-Hollywood exchange, transforming the country into a regional centre for creative excellence.

Mr Gaolathe reaffirmed the government’s commitment to systemic change through digitising business registration processes, amplifying youth voices in policymaking and creating systems that support scalable, impactful ideas.

Adding to the momentum, Ms Otsetswe Koboyankwe, acting CEO of the National Arts Council of Botswana, stressed the importance of commercialising the creative industry for economic diversification and employment creation.

She stated that storytelling helped to preserve culture and values. Despite financial constraints, Ms Koboyankwe shared that the council, through arts grants, had empowered youth in various ways, such as participation in international events and festivals, including the Dreamers Exchange Festival itself. She testified that these efforts had enabled young talents to gain exposure and opportunities. ENDS