Performing arts project launched
Spira Tlhankane | Thursday February 11, 2016 14:49
The project is the brainchild of one local veteran musician, Soccer Moruakgomo in partnership with the Ministry of Education and Skills Development (MoESD) and Limkokwing University. The performing arts programme was formed with the essence to empower and target unemployed and out-of-school young Batswana.
Speaking at the launch, Dow said the project is a skill development project for the economy.
“MoESD aims to come up with a multi-pathway at secondary school level. We want to refocus and train the youth on what they have a passion for,” she said.
Dow said arts has a special place in the economy, therefore it is relevant to spend money on it. She said the project would help people who did not have the opportunity to go to school.
“They don’t need grades to unlock their future. Arts can unlock Botswana’s potential,” she said. Dow said the project is something to be proud of thus Botswana has to package the arts and sell it to the world.
“Through our music and dance, our cultural festivals and events can even attract people from outside,” she said. Dow indicated that the project is part of the government’s recently introduced Economic Stimulus Programme (ESP).
She said the selected performers would be provided with accommodation and living allowance of P1,420 for six months.
For his part, the project coordinator, Moruakgomo said out of all auditions conducted, the chosen few will be brought in one place, camping for six months and will undergo intensive training in singing and acting.
“It embraces all genres of performing arts like music, dance, drama, poetry and theatre,” he said. He said it was necessary to conduct countrywide auditions so that most of Batswana tribes could take part.
“This project started in the Southern district and the next stop was in Kang and Gantsi district. We continued 10 days of the auditions at Chobe, North East, Bobirwa and Central,” he said.
Moruakgomo said the last lap of auditions in Gaborone would complete their search for the best 100 candidates to start classes in March. He said in the end artists would be divided to come up with one musical and two theatre plays and launch them as professional artists.