19 Aug 2025

 Leapfrog Advertising will once again host the Gaborone International Music and Culture (GIMC), with the 11th edition scheduled for September 5-12.

The week-long event will feature various activities across Gaborone.

GIMC’s strategy is to promote the role of arts and culture in economic development and job creation.

By supporting the local creative industry, the event aims to contribute to the country’s economic growth.

GIMC’s various creative events had also had an economic benefit for the value chain, including fashion, hair, makeup, catering, hospitality and transportation, laying a solid foundation for the cultural and creative industry.

Beyond benefitting the value chain, GIMC has increased tourism and created opportunities for local artists and small to medium-sized enterprises (SMMEs), boosting the city’s socio-economic impact.

“GIMC has significantly influenced Gaborone’s tourism by enhancing the city’s cultural appeal, boosting local businesses and positioning Botswana as a vibrant cultural destination in Africa,” said the event organiser, Fish Pabalinga in an interview.

Since inception in 2014, he said, GIMC had supported local artists and vendors and provided opportunities for over 200 performers.

He added that the event also donated to NGOs to enhance community welfare and indirectly promoted sustainable tourism by improving living standards.

“This aligns with Botswana’s tourism model, which emphasises community-driven economic benefits,” Pabalinga said.

Like any large-scale event, he said GIMC faced its share of challenges, especially financial ones.

Pabalinga noted that while some corporations had stepped in to support the event, more could be done.

“We encourage corporates to support the arts so that we can grow the audiences and improve skills on both the technical and creative aspects of the arts,” he said.

Another challenge, he said was resource mobilisation because an event of such magnitude required significant money to put together and deliver successfully.

Nonetheless, he said they were committed to giving patrons their money’s worth.

“Event planning is not easy, you have to be focused on delivering a good product for your patrons, despite the many challenges you encounter.

It is not an easy business, as such perseverance and focus are important,” he added.

Meanwhile, as GIMC returns for its 11th year, it promises to be more than just a series of events.

The event is set to kick off with a fitness challenge, where enthusiasts can enjoy an invigorating three-hour training session featuring pilates, yoga, zumba and aerobics on September 5 at Grand Palm.

September 6 will feature #JazzOnTheLawns at Bojanala Waterfront, followed by the Champagne Picnic at Wagga Gardens on September 7.

GIMC poetry is scheduled for BotswanaCraft on September 9 while GIMC comedy will be hosted at Avani Hotel on September 11.

The week-long GIMC activities conclude with a Clap and Tap concert on September 12 at Boipuso Hall. ENDS