Following President Mokgweetsi Masisi’s call for the creative industry to be notched up, the National Arts Council Botswana (NACB) this week embarked on creative Kgotla road show to impart knowledge.
NACB marketing and communications manager, Kutlwano Monnamoncho, said the road show which commenced in Francistown will bear fruits more than people can imagine as it seeks to change the industry. “NACB in their valued effort to promote, support and develop the creative sector have embarked on road show under the theme creative kgotla’s. This tour aims to introduce the Council and its mandate, engage with stakeholders on ways to promote the rich and diverse tapestry of Botswana’s artistic heritage and contemporary talent,” he said. NACB highlighted that the creative kgotla road show is imperative as they are trying to bridge a gap between rural areas and urban areas as people tend to complain that developments and opportunities are only situated in cities. “By travelling to various towns and villages, the road show ensures that the arts are not confined to major urban areas but are accessible to all citizens regardless of their location,” Monnamoncho said.
NACB, which is an entity established to govern the creatives, further stated that not only does the road show improves accessibility to opportunities, it also presents a chance to nurture emerging talent and improve the commercial mindset of artists. The road show included other entities that play a pivotal role in the growth of creative industry such COSBOTS, CIPA, and the ministry of youth, gender, sports and culture amongst others. NACB CEO, Shombi Ellis, shared that she hopes the road show gets to ignite talent in Botswana.
