Local creatives call for transformation
Nnasaretha Kgamanyane | Wednesday September 24, 2025 06:02
Speaking at the Inaugural Botswana Creatives Summit in Gaborone recently, Mojakgomo said that at BEPA, they believe that the transformation of the creative sector will require strong partnerships between government, private sector, artists, and civil society. He added that their brief is to turn the informal hustle into a formal hustle. To attain this, Mojakgomo pointed such an undertaking calls for enabling policies, sustainable funding models, capacity-building platforms, and infrastructure that allow them to create, collaborate, and compete globally.
'This summit serves as a platform for honest dialogue, innovative thinking, and strategic action. Let us challenge outdated norms, confront the barriers that have stifled our growth, and commit to building a creative economy that is inclusive, resilient, and proudly Motswana. This gathering marks a pivotal moment in the journey of Botswana’s creative sector. For too long, our industry has operated on the fringes of the national economic agenda,' he said.
Furthermore, he explained that the day's theme, 'Building a just, integrated and diversified economy for creatives', is not only timely but speaks directly to the hopes and ambitions of thousands of Batswana artists, promoters, producers, cultural workers, and creative entrepreneurs. He added that a just economy is whereby all creatives, regardless of background or discipline, are afforded fair opportunity, recognition, and reward for their contributions.
He also explained that an integrated economy entails and ensures that they, as a sector, are no longer isolated, but plugged into national development frameworks, policy dialogues, and global markets. Mojakgomo added that a diversified economy is one in which the creative industries are not just seen as entertainment, but as serious business and generators of jobs, innovation, and cultural diplomacy.
'Allow me to turn my attention to the following quick wins expected from Govt: allow for the National Arts Council Botswana (NACB) constitution to be reviewed and urgently amended to zero its focus on shaping the creative sector and permits for international artists through your office and Ministry of Labour, Ministry of Local Govt and Traditional Affairs permits acquired through councils countrywide, may such processes be re-engineered to shorten turnaround time and processes entailed therein for quick expedition of the permits. By-Laws have become hindrances for events to thrive. BEPA requests that some of these statutes be repealed. Open spaces owned by the council reserve those for creatives,' he said.
He further called on the Minister of Trade & Entrepreneurship to finance the creatives calling for sustainable financing for local talented curators and their mad ideas. He also urged the Ministry of Youth and Gender Affairs to heighten advocacy for the deliberate and international inclusion of young Batswana into active participation in the economy. Speaking to participants, Mojakgomo said the future of Botswana’s creative economy is not a distant vision but begins with all of them.
For his part, the Minister of Sports and Arts, Jacob Kelebeng, said the government of Botswana identified culture and the creative industry as the key drivers of economic growth, cultural preservation, and social transformation. He explained that consequently, policing, legal framework, and legislative measures were outdated to support the creative sector's growth.
'In this industry, the events are more than just a celebration; they are an economic ecosystem. Each festival concept, summit or exhibition connects multiple industries, transport, catering, fashion, music, and so forth. It is for this reason that I have asserted revenue that we need to build ecosystems to create jobs,' he said.