Creatives do not bring much value to Botswana
Goitsemodimo Kaelo | Friday August 7, 2020 13:54
With the envisaged depletion of diamonds, the creative industry has been hailed as the next ‘real diamonds’ that would move Botswana’s economy forward. However, the situation according to Ramokate does not look pretty well.
Ramokate conceded before the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) that despite several efforts by industry players to turn the situation around, the sector is “not where we wished it to be”. Ramokate said it is government’s wish that the sector could be in a position to add value to the economy such as create employment, though nothing seems to be falling into place.
“A lot has happened in terms of participation and activity but in terms of translating this into an industry that is able to create employment for role players, that is still very low,” Ramokate said. Ramokate said the situation is made worse by the state of television and media coverage in the country. “In Botswana in terms of television, we have a national broadcaster. The way it is set up compared to other countries how it contributes to growth of creative and sport sector is different. For example, in other countries 90% of their revenue in sport comes from television deals.
Ramokate admitted that when the national broadcaster, Btv, is unable to buy broadcasting rights for local programmes, such entities do have nowhere else to go.
He said broadcasting or TV deals could be the catalyst for development for this sector. He disclosed that the establishment of Arts Council Bill is intended to address some of these challenges and propel the creative industry. Committee member and Member of Parliament for Mochudi East Mabuse Pule had expressed concern about the slow growth of the creative and cinematography industry in the country.