Francistown to host NAA

Faith Siako | Friday November 20, 2015 15:16

Ontiretse Nthinthie, the Chairperson of NAA, said he collaborated with the Ministry of Youth, Sport and Culture (MYSC) to make these awards possible.

Nthinthie said NAA was an initiative that sought to empower, honour and celebrate the creative works of artists of all genres in the northern part of Botswana.

“Artists, especially in the north, don’t take their artwork and music seriously hence we want to encourage them to grow,” he said.

He disclosed that there are some artists in Francistown who are obscure not because they can’t perform nor don’t have talent but because they lack motivation and support.

He said they want to uplift their spirits so that they might recognise their potential and are publicly appreciated.

Nthinthie said NAA was also meant to compliment the existing awards like Botswana Music Union (BOMU) awards.

“Awards raise performance standard hence NAA will raise artists in the north to the same level of those in Gaborone and the rest of the country,” he said.

The committee advisor, Lyenor Nkosi, said there was no age rank in entering the competition.

“The awards would be divided into 12 categories, thus best Disc Jockey (DJ), poet, promoter, comedian, best in arts reporter, visual arts,” he said.

Nkosi said that there would be performances from local artists across the country and exhibits of artifacts from those who will be part of the awards competition. Sponsors include Kwambala Foundation, 7 properties and TRL.