This is an ongoing process- Arts Council
Goitsemodimo Kaelo | Monday April 20, 2026 06:00
NACB Marketing and Communications Manager, Kutlwano Monnamoncho said the Council was aware of the statement issued by the Botswana Arts Associations and the concerns raised therein. However, he emphasised that no strategy has been developed or launched yet.
'The NACB has noted the statement issued by arts associations. The NACB held a press conference in March 2026 to introduce the new Board and present its roadmap for commercialising the industry and raising funds to support projects by the creative and cultural sector. Subsequently, on the 1st of April 2026, NACB had an engagement with the various arts associations and informed them of the Council’s plans to develop a new strategy that is aligned to NDP12 and the Botswana Economic Transformation Plan (BETP),' he said.
Additionally, Monnamoncho explained that the Council has also extended an invitation to the arts associations to take part in the strategy development process. 'As such, it must be made clear that there is no strategy that the CEO has developed and launched. The NACB CEO has not developed or launched a strategy,' he said.
'The Council has been engaging in ongoing consultations with various organisations both locally, regionally, and internationally on the development of the membership framework. This is still an ongoing process however great strides have been made to ensure that the framework is inclusive and beneficial to all members of the creative and cultural industry,' he added.
He said while it is the Council's plan to register members, he could not give a clear timeline of when membership or affiliation to the NACB will commence. 'The Council remains open to further discussions and consultations with arts associations on this matter.'
The Council's response comes after 28 arts associations raised particular concern over what they perceive as an increasingly exclusionary approach by the NACB administration, alleging that the Secretariat has adopted a posture that sidelines the associations from contributing to key decisions.