Mmegi

11 years of GIMC: A festival that shaped a generation

Music fans enjoying during the GIMC 10th anniversary music concert at the Royal Arena Stadium in Tlokweng on September 7, 2024 Pic: Monirul Bhuiyan/PRESS PHOTO
Music fans enjoying during the GIMC 10th anniversary music concert at the Royal Arena Stadium in Tlokweng on September 7, 2024 Pic: Monirul Bhuiyan/PRESS PHOTO

Eleven years on, the Gaborone International Music and Culture Week (GIMC) returns this year with its week-long festivities. This week, SHARON MATHALA catches up with the event organisers as they reflect on their journey.

The man behind the brand, Thapelo Pabalinga, shares that for the past years, GIMC has continued to drive and contribute to economic and youth employment through its value chain support.

Pabalinga says GIMC has supported local businesses in the past few years, creating significant employment opportunities for the youth. “GIMC’s impact extends far beyond the stage, creating a ripple effect across multiple sectors. From event planning and logistics to hospitality, catering, and creative services, GIMC engages a wide array of local businesses, strengthening the economic ecosystem. Local vendors, including food and beverage providers, artisans, and merchandise creators, benefit from increased demand during the week-long festival. Transportation services, accommodation providers, and tourism operators also see a surge in activity as thousands of attendees, both local and international, flock to Gaborone,” Pabalinga said.

Editor's Comment
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It highlights the need to protect rights such as access to clean water, education, healthcare and freedom of expression.President Duma Boko, rightly honours past interventions from securing a dignified burial for Gaoberekwe Pitseng in the CKGR to promoting linguistic inclusion. Yet, they also expose a critical truth, that a nation cannot sustainably protect its people through ad hoc acts of compassion alone.It is time for both government and the...

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