Govt spends P46 million on performing arts

Monkagedi Gaothobogwe | Thursday December 19, 2013 15:00

Of the money spent, P500,000 was used to sponsor the Botswana Musicians Union (BOMU) awards, Minister of Youth, Sport and Culture, Shaw Kgathi has revealed.

Kgathi also said that P5 million was spent on groups for cultural exchanges outside the country, as they sent 100 performers to 14 countries.   A further P1.5 million was given to Thapong Visual Arts Centre to build art studios, he said. Speaking at the BOMU awards, Kgathi announced that the second Africa Youth Games to be hosted by Botswana next year would accord local musicians the rare chance to market themselves.  

Artists would market themselves to over 54 African countries through televised music events. 

The events are scheduled for the opening, prize giving, and the closing ceremonies, adding that such an arrangement was deliberately planned to give musicians a platform to shine.

Meanwhile, deputy Permanent Secretary in the Office of the President responsible for government media, Mogomotsi Kaboeamodimo announced that Btv is committed to growing BOMU into a reputable international brand. 

He urged the BOMU awards committee to start negotiations with Btv as early as possible to enable the broadcaster to finalise logistics well in time. 

Kaboeamodimo added that Btv would always be willing to support initiatives such as the BOMU awards, which he said have the potential to appeal to the international audience even in America. He said: “I can tell you those audiences (in America) are bored, they are looking for something new, to hear new sounds, and watch something unique.”