BEPA adopts six-pillar transformation strategy
Larona Makhaiza | Sunday July 20, 2025 06:01
During the first media address since winning the elections, vice chairperson Rapula Kegopilwe said the new committee has a mandate to transform the creative sector from just being considered a side hustle.
“As the new BEPA committee, we need to push for partnerships as this is the only way we can move from the informal hustle to a formal sector and shed off the tag of being associated with only ‘boraskanta,” Kegopilwe said.
Kegopilwe also emphasised that it is high time the creative sector is taken seriously and deliberated on behind boardroom walls, as it contributes immensely towards the country’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP).
“The creative sector is really big enough and we should be taken seriously because the sector is the third largest contributor to the GDP, just behind mining and tourism. So this shows how great we should be treated,” said Kegopilwe.
With this idea to transform the creative sector and professionalise it to fit the business models, Kegopilwe said the new committee has adopted a six-pillar strategy framework.
The six pillar strategy frameworks encapsulate institutional strengthening and governance, member services and welfare, programme and project development, commercial development and revenue mobilisation, industry influencers, stakeholder engagement and lastly communication and outreach.
Under the institutional strengthening and governance pillar, the vice chairperson said the committee plans to change how the association is run and position it for a business model set up.
“The objective is to create a formal and efficient governance structure because on the administrative side, we have been struggling a lot as BEPA. So we need to get to a point where we can have a strong administrative arm,” he said.
Still under the pillar, Kegopilwe highlighted that the organisation aims to ensure that there is accountability, transparency and professionalism on the part of everyone involved.
Kegopilwe highlighted that for plans to be implemented effectively, there is an urgent need to review the constitution of the new association, as it is currently outdated and is not aligned with the new thinking.
On the member services and welfare pillar, the vice chairperson said the aim is just to make the association more appealing to its members and prove to bring value.
“The task is to enhance the value proposition for members through improving their welfare, such as health and other issues that impact them, not only that, but also professional development,” he said. He said this strategy will be instrumental to the membership drive that will be undertaken by the association.
Under the programme and project development pillar, Kegopilwe said BEPA will position itself to be an association that establishes ways or strategies aimed at motivating its members.
“This is where we will establish revenue streams and impactful programmes that speak to industry needs, industry-tailored programmes and projects. For example, we will introduce the BEPA annual awards ceremony and mentorship programmes,” Kegopilwe said.
On the commercial development and revenue mobilisation pillar, Kegopilwe stated that it stands as one of the most instrumental pillars, as they would like to commercialise the creative sector.
“This is an integral part, as we are an under-funded industry. So the objective is to build revenue-generating arms that will ensure BEPA’s sustainability so that we make money for ourselves,” he said.
He indicated that under the pillar, BEPA will develop a subvention that will assist promoters with their events.
On the last two pillars, which include industry influence and stakeholder engagement and communication and outreach, Kegopilwe said they are aimed at making the association more visible. “We want to position BEPA as a key partner and authority in the entertainment sector, mobilise government for events management services so that we are at the forefront,” he said.