Arts Council reimagines creative sector viability
Nnasaretha Kgamanyane | Monday March 9, 2026 09:23
With a bold new strategic roadmap, the Council is poised to propel Botswana's arts and culture industry into a new era of commercial viability, sustainability, and global recognition.
Speaking at a recent press conference, NACB's Acting Director of Strategy and Research, Phenyo Mogae, emphasised the council's commitment to reversing past challenges and improving service delivery. 'We are committed to reversing this state of affairs, not through media spinning, but by improving the quality of service we render to both our customers and stakeholders,' he said.
For his part, the council's new CEO, Gaokgakala Lemmenyane, outlined his leadership philosophy, built on accountability, inclusion, and sustainability. 'My leadership is built on three principles: accountability, inclusion, and sustainability,' he said. 'We must move beyond short-term interventions and build systems that will endure the test of time, financially, institutionally, and culturally,' he added.
A key initiative is the National Arts Registry, aimed at collecting comprehensive data on artists and creative enterprises across Botswana. This registry will provide critical insights to inform policy decisions, allocate funding effectively, and measure the sector's economic impact.
The NACB is also launching the Botswana Creative Arts Fund, shifting from traditional grant systems to strategic investments in scalable, export-ready projects. An investment company will also be established to develop infrastructure, such as entertainment centers and creative hubs, generating revenue and driving growth.
The initiatives signal a new chapter for Botswana's creative sector, positioning it as a viable economic driver and cultural pillar. Lemmenyane said, 'Our responsibility is to transform creativity into enterprise, talent into trade, and artistic excellence into sustainable livelihoods.'
With strengthened governance, sustainable funding, and a focus on artist development, the NACB's 2026 roadmap promises to unlock the full potential of Botswana's creative industries. The Council, therefore, invites stakeholders to join this journey, collaborating to realise a shared vision of a thriving, globally competitive, creative economy.