11 years of GIMC: A festival that shaped a generation

Sharon Mathala | Sunday July 20, 2025 06:00

The man behind the brand, Thapelo Pabalinga, shares that for the past years, GIMC has continued to drive and contribute to economic and youth employment through its value chain support.

Pabalinga says GIMC has supported local businesses in the past few years, creating significant employment opportunities for the youth. “GIMC’s impact extends far beyond the stage, creating a ripple effect across multiple sectors. From event planning and logistics to hospitality, catering, and creative services, GIMC engages a wide array of local businesses, strengthening the economic ecosystem. Local vendors, including food and beverage providers, artisans, and merchandise creators, benefit from increased demand during the week-long festival. Transportation services, accommodation providers, and tourism operators also see a surge in activity as thousands of attendees, both local and international, flock to Gaborone,” Pabalinga said.

This year’s GIMC takes place from September 5 to 13.

According to the organisers, over 28 small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) will be directly involved in the festival’s operations, from stage setup to sound engineering, art suppliers, fashion designers, food vendors, to mention just a few.

“This has been the case since the inception of GIMC in 2014.GIMC is more than a festival; it’s a catalyst for local business growth,” said Pabalinga. By prioritising local suppliers and talent, we’re building a sustainable value chain that not only supports local artists but also strengthens the creative economy,” Pabalinga shared. As such, for many, GIMC has served as a launchpad into the creative and events industries.

“Working at GIMC gave me hands-on experience in stage production, and now I’m pursuing a career in event management,” said Baone Maswabi, a 21-year-old student who joined the GIMC team.

The GIMC team believes that the festival showcases a commitment to the growth of local talent, musicians, dancers, and visual artists, aiding Botswana’s vision of diversifying the economy from a diamond-backed economy to include the arts.

“GIMC is proof that culture and commerce can go hand in hand. It’s a win-win for our communities, businesses, and youth,” said Tirelo Nkwe, Director of Arts City Connect.

The 2025 GIMC will see seven shows held, being Fitness and Aerobics, Jazz, Champagne Picnics, Poetry, Comedy, Choral, and the main Festival. The 2025 lineup is impressive with world-class artists such as Mafikizolo, Sereetsi, and The Natives, Women of Jazz, billed to perform at the Jazz show. One of the most exciting performers on the lineup is possibly Lira, who will be in Botswana following a 15-year hiatus.