03 Mar 2014

Local Enterprise Authority's (LEA) Tsabong branch manager, Mr Agrippa Hengari says LEA will open up to all businesses including arts.

Speaking at a Tsabong Sub-district arts activity on March 1, Mr Hengari said unlike in the past where his office was limited to certain industries, LEA would nurture all prospective businesses, which had the capacity to grow economy to flourish.

However, Mr Hengari warned that those businesses, which did not exhibit the seriousness and ability to grow will fall by wayside as their mandate was to help businesses which had the potential to grow the economy.

As a result, Mr Hengari reminded all artists that they were better placed to combat unemployment and in the process help government create jobs for other Batswana.

He said the country intended to produce high quality products capable of competing locally, regionally and internationally and as such challenged artists to thrive for high quality in their productions.

For the artists to produce goods of high quality, the LEA manager advised that they needed to be hands-on and should avoid over-dependence on government for virtually everything.

He said by so doing, artists and other beneficiaries of government magnanimity will be able to graduate from their poverty levels.

Mr Hengari challenged the artists to aim higher by dreaming to supply even in places outside Kgalagadi District like in Maun where tourism was reportedly in its bullish state.

Speaking in support of Mr Hengari’s statement was Acting Senior Assistant Council Secretary, Ms Chandapiwa Mpolokang who advised that artists should won up their businesses and shun over-dependence on government. She called on the artists to take advantage of government programmes in a responsible manner.

She informed the attendants that the market days will be held on a weekly basis to cater for small businesses, a diversion from the past where such days were a monthly occasion.

For her part, Regional Culture Officer, Ms Malebogo Mosala appealed to relevant stakeholders to help her office in pursuit of artistic excellence. She observed that her office could not achieve the mandate alone.

She warned drama groups that they will be provided with scripts in the upcoming competitions, a departure from the past where groups initiated their own scripts based on the theme provided. ENDS