REMARKS DELIVERED BY HIS EXCELLENCY DR. MOKGWEETSI E.K. MASISI PRESIDENT OF THE REPUBLIC OF BOTSWANA ON THE OCCASION OF THE RB2 ROAD- SHOW AND BOOT-CAMP AWARDS ON 11TH FEBRUARY 2023 AT GABORONE INTERNATIONAL CONVENTION CENTRE

Salutations

Good evening

1. It gives me great pleasure tonight to talk to you on this historic event in which we gather to honor and celebrate the best of our emerging talent. This is not coincidental. It is part of our stated purpose by my Government to promote, support, and deliberately invest in the creative industry. This is a trillion-dollar industry globally, through which many people’s livelihoods are sustained, as the creatives trade the works of their creativity to provide boundless joy to our souls in various genre of music and dance, as well as through films.

2. Tonight’s event is the culmination of a process that started in September last year with a nation-wide road-show to celebrate the 30th anniversary of RB 2 and leverage on that to unearth creative talent in music production and performances. This exercise was necessary bearing in mind the devastation caused to the creative sector by the global Covid-19 pandemic.

3. From the 2021 UNESCO report entitled: “Cultural and Creative Industries in the face of Covid-19: An economic Impact Outlook”, the following finding was made, that [Start Quote] “It is estimated that an overall US$750bn contraction of the gross value added by cultural and creative industries has been experienced globally in 2020, which represents a dramatic setback in the capacity of these industries to be drivers of cultural, economic and social outputs for sustainable development.” [End Quote].

4. As I earlier stated, Botswana was not spared the effects of devastation. As the Government, we had to act to come to the rescue of the creative industry. Tonight’s awards demonstrate such support, particularly to inject confidence in the mind-sets of all the Roadshow and Boot-camp participants, and, in particular, those who excelled in the top three categories, that, indeed, all of you have capacity to change the prospects of your lives, and will be rewarded by society for your efforts. Government is quite alive to the capacity of the creative sector to contribute significantly to economic diversification and wealth creation.

5. To this end we continue to work tirelessly to create a regulatory and policy environment that is conducive for this industry to flourish. In addition, we continue to allocate significant resources to the capacitation of the sector. One key highlight of Government’s commitment to transform the creative sector, was the establishment of the National Arts Council, which is now actively discharging its mandate.

6. From the broadcasting sector, we have created a broader platform for developing local creative content. In addition, we continue to solidify synergies between the various stakeholders in the industry to ensure that creators are efficiently served and realise value out of their creative assets. However, it is also good advice for you to explore and invest in networking and collaborating with others, rather than thinking that only solo acts are the pathways to success.

7. The Government continues to invest vast sums of money on the ICT infrastructure that supports the creative industry. While such infrastructure benefits other sectors of the economy, it is the creative industry that has extracted more value out of it. More youngsters will inevitably take advantage of these instruments as the Government has now started issuing tablets to senior secondary students around the country.

8. Within the parameters of the Creative Industry Strategy, we are also in the process of forming partnerships with global players in the creative industry to catalyse the growth of own sector. Undoubtedly, Botswana as a country cannot depend solely on the economies of scale to grow the creative sector, owing to its very small population and market potential. We are, therefore, making concerted effort to drive adherence to, and attainment of, quality of global standards in order to compete with the best in the world.

9. The talent demonstrated by our young people gives us confidence that success is achievable. After all, we already have exports in the creative sector. One of the trailblazers is Mr Sikwane, aka DJ Fresh, your mentor and the driver of this project.

10. Ladies and Gentlemen, Setswana sa re “Mokoduwe go tsosiwa o o itekang.” While the government is doing all it can to facilitate you, it is our expectation that you also show requisite commitment to your own development. You have already proved yourself that you are talented by being selected to participate at the Bootcamp.

11. I am pleased to learn that none of you will leave empty handed. It is now up to you to make sure that the efforts that Government has made to meet you, half-way, do not go to waste. I have been informed that most of you, if not all of you, who are here will continue to have access to Big Dawg Production for a whole year to ensure that you stabilise and grow.

12. It is my pleasure to appreciate and thank the private sector for their contribution in supporting the growth of Botswana’s creative industry. I understand that companies such as MOPIPI have committed to sponsor some of you to utilise their digital music app for the whole year. In this regard, I want to urge more companies to come on board. Government has already, through CEDA, made it possible to consider creative assets in their funding structures to facilitate the creative industry sector. Take advantage of such facilities. I would like to appeal to different financial institutions to also take this industry seriously and invest in it. Together we can put this country on the global map of the culture-making industry.

13. Bathobetsho, as your president, I am concerned about increasing reports of substance abuse that some of you have fallen into. As creatives, the temptations that come with fame, may be too strong to resist. Remember that as you grow in this industry, you become role models. You also become influencers. Therefore, I urge you to resist engaging in such vices as drug and substance abuse. If you stay away from such vices, I can guarantee that your chances of success will be enhanced.

14. A lot has been achieved through the nationwide Roadshow that was carried out last year. More than 700 artists have benefited from the performances and workshops that were conducted. In addition, and more importantly, local businesses have benefited from the cash that was injected in services such as accommodation, transport, and catering, among others.

15. Above all, some artists who could not have had any opportunity to be heard were able to record. This has truly been a successful undertaking culminating in the boot camp that has led to tonight’s awards. Accordingly, I commend everyone who has been able to make this a success. It is our hope that funds permitting, this will become an annual feature.

16. In conclusion, I want to thank you for your attention, and wish you a joyful evening and a memorable celebration of the first edition of a Roadshow to unearth musical talent among Batswana.

PULA!