BOMU, Film Association endorse incoming Arts Council CEO
Sharon Mathala | Wednesday January 14, 2026 06:30
Koboyankwe held the fort after the Council's first CEO, Shombie Ellis, was fired by the then minister of Youth, Gender, Sport and Culture (MYSC), Tumiso Rakgare.
The NACB announced Lemmenyane's appointment Last week through a statement.
In a media release, the Council noted that the new CEO has the right academic credentials and experience to transform the creative industry.
Government has identified the sector as an avenue for economic diversification.
“With a career rooted in building arts ecosystems, Lemmenyane brings a rare combination of sector-wide artistic literacy, institutional management and high-level policy and partnership experience,” read the statement.
Speaking to Showtime, Chairperson of Botswana Screen Society, Earnest Seakgosing stated that they welcome the appointment of the new CEO.
“He has been on the ground before and promoted a lot of artists both here and in South Africa. When he was at MYSC then, there was a cartel that stifled him out.
“For him to return to NACB is a positive for the industry,” he said.
Asked what they want the new face of the arts to focus on, Seakgosing said they want the CEO to organise how the arts have been categorised so ‘we can benefit’.
“The former exiled Ellis was booted out and we could have been far, but we all know what happened to her. We could be far if they had let her.
“So, with his coming we hope things will change because he knows what is happening,” he added.
For their part, the Botswana Musician Union (BOMU) Secretary General (SG), said they are hopeful that Lemmenyane will pursue the development and sustainability of the creative industry as stipulated in the founding Act of the Arts Council.
“Mr Lemmenyane being a creative himself understands the needs of the creative industry. BOMU being the voice of the music industry will engage with Mr. Lemmenyane on the needs of the music industry, the challenges and share with him our thoughts on how to address the music side of the industry.”
For BOMU, they want the new CEO to amongst others focus on challenges that hamper the music industry from growing.
Amongst those, according to BOMU are regulations by the Ministry of Local Government, in particular Bye- Law offices across the country which make it very difficult for the music industry to trade.
“We are regulated within the armpits of liquor trade. We are still regulated under noise making regulation. Another example is that we have a very rich yet not utilised fund at CIPA. The fund was primarily made for the benefit of the Creative Sector, but gate keepers at CIPA are seemingly uncomfortable in realising such funds to Creatives to better their art forms and rightfully so, their lives. Mr. Lemmenyane should engage the Ministry responsible to unlock those funds. The processes that have been put in place to access the Blank Tape Levy Fund by CIPA gate keepers are not for the benefit of ordinary musicians. These are just some of the examples of those action items that Mr. Lemmenyane must embark on. The Creatives are hungry for reforms, we no longer have the privileged of time.”
The DJs Association stated the appointment of Lemmenyane is a good development to the creative industry and hoped he would create entertainment policy that will regulate the industry.
'For so long our industry hasn't been regulated and we are missing a point because of this mishap.
'It’s long overdue to get the ball rolling in terms of the entertainment policy and Arts Council should spearhead that,' said DJs Association chairperson, DJ Fondo Fire.
The bodies believe that there should also be an administrative budget for the arts. After years of advocating for the establishment of the Arts Council, it was a moment of celebration when the NACB was finally founded in 2020.
The institution, once envisioned as the country’s tactical weapon in the plans to diversify the economy from diamonds, had become a dysfunctional disillusionment.
The NACB’s mandate was to act as the custodian of Botswana’s creative economy by providing grants, facilitating growth, and promoting fair governance in the arts.
It remains to be seen if Lemmenyane will overturn NACB’s fortunes.