Different local creatives such as fine arts, basket weaving, sculptors, music, fashion, theatre to mention but a few, graced the launch to share in the momentous occasion.
Following that, some of the creatives have shared their feelings towards the launch of the art council, which they have commended. Many pointed out that they had long been waiting for its establishment as they believed their plight would finally be addressed.
Arts & Culture captured some of the reactions to the launch. Nako Timepieces co-founder Gabriel Mothibedi said the launch brought a moment to share knowledge, interact, build creative and innovation networks, to start the journey of establishing business ecologies in art and design, to strengthen collaborations and partnerships between creative practitioners, the council and government.
He added that the event was excellent, well organised and appropriately themed in all Botswana’s visual vocabulary, and hosted at the National Museum; a venue which is rich in cultural heritage and indigenous knowledge, which was such an excellence choice to add context. “This progressive strategy and the implementation of the National Arts Council of Botswana warms my heart and directly speak to me.
In my 20-year career as a design and innovation researcher, academic and practitioner, I worked with teams that have done the same for their mother countries such as the ‘2009 USA National Design Policy’ and the ‘Nordic Design for a Global Market’ Summits with a sole objective of establishing national design councils, the UK Design Council and the 2014 ‘Design Policy Conference’ of the Western Cape, South Africa with an objective to enhance and commercialise Art and Design in the Western Cape, to mention but a few.
In essence, and for me, it is such a blessing for this to be finally happening here at home,” he said. Mothibedi further explained that the council would enhance and develop the country’s creative economy. He added that Botswana is going to finally have a defined, structured and a fully developed National Arts System and a National Arts Context. He explained that the NACB would coordinate government-led strategic plans and policies, which will be used to guide the development and implementation of ‘National Support and Development Programmes’.
He also said it would enhance, promote, package and commercialise Botswana’s Arts and Design and firmly place Art and Design within Botswana’s Innovation System’ by identifying Art and Design as one of the key drivers for economic growth. He added that artists and designers would benefit largely through the National Arts Council’s audits of the current and existing national support programmes for Art and Design.
“As a coordination body, the NAC will look into what has been done and to what degree it has been benefiting local artists and designers, right from the current policies and support-programme formulation processes, formulation stages, policy and support programme adoption and implementation strategies, community and stakeholder creation during policy formation, engagement and public participation, support programmes and activation strategies, evaluation processes, challenges, value addition and their contributions to the development of Botswana’s creative economy,” he said. For her part, Zenzel Hirschfield of Zen Promotions said the launch was a testament of government delivering on its mandate to grow the sector, adding that it was a welcome development to professionalise the creative industry.
Hirschfield, who was recently appointed secretary of the Sports and Creative Arts Sub-Committee of the central committee of the Botswana Democratic Party (BDP), added that finally they belong to a properly governed industry that has been previously fragmented for a long time and had no policy to guide its trade. Hirschfield also said the Arts Council would bring hope in setting and implementing industry structures to assist in everyday running of the industry. She added that as an industry captain, she was grateful that finally there was light at the end of the tunnel in an industry that some of them have built from nothing. “I am happy to see promises being delivered as we have for a long time advocated for professional set up to govern our industry.
I hope the formation of the Arts Council brings results to the table, let's see sectors grow and the industry being funded and being a voice of change for the benefit of growth and sustainability,” she added. On another front, gospel artist Gaone Selebo said the establishment of the NACB is a commendable effort from government. She added that it was a wave of change in the whole scope of how the creative industry is viewed in Botswana and regionally. “We expect more capacity building and funding opportunities for the creatives and I believe more products from various stakeholders will empower the creative sector. We need a national decentralised coordination and engagement from the NACB.
Through the NACB, there would be more funding opportunities. I also believe there would be more gender-based empowered programmes and a high-level advocacy programmes delivered by the council,” she added.
For Bantu Gold founder, Lukundo Simpenba, the NACB provides a structure that is necessary for him to nurture his artistic gifts. He said it acts as a father-figure in the promotion of not only his fashion designs but also the work of his fellow artists. He explained that he was going to benefit from the leadership of the vastly qualified and well-seasoned individuals who sit on the board.
“I will benefit from the synergy of arts and corporate that the council aims to create and I am hoping to promote Bantu Gold through the different platforms it seeks to provide. As Batswana we are very talented and creative.
However, I feel the industrial element can be improved on to help create more jobs in and around the arts space. I am hoping to see more global exportation of our artists and more market participation from our private sector. As Bantu Gold I am very excited and would like to commend our government for continuing the furtherance of art and culture in Botswana. It’s now up to us as creatives to take advantage. The table has been set,” he ended.
