The 2025-2026 draft estimates of expenditure shows a proposed increase in the Transitional National Development Plan (TNDP) for the Broadcasting Services’ development budget by P30 million from P446.9million to P476.9. The TNDP, which began in April 2023, was due to end on March 31 this year, but has been extended for a further four months while the new government finalises its NDP 12. This increase is meant to provide for the facilitation of the creative industry, upgrading of transmitters and broadcasting facilities as well as facility management of the Mass Media Complex. With the creative sector having been identified in recent government plans as a key priority area, the budget is expected to enable the national broadcaster to commission creative work from local artists.
The cash injection into the project demonstrates what the Finance Minister, Ndaba Gaolathe, had emphasised in his Budget Speech about the creative industry being a critical sector for economic diversification. Gaolathe also said the creative industry is a driver of economic growth, social preservation and social transformation. He stated that the sector also has the power to generate employment, foster innovation and project Botswana’s distinct identity. “To fully unlock the potential of this industry, we must optimise the entire ecosystem, including exploring the possibility of enacting legislation that enables creatives to monetise the digital space,” said Gaolathe.
Lack of funding has been considered a major hindrance for creatives to thrive not only in Botswana but across the African continent. However, Gaolathe said in addition, to demonstrate government’s commitment to developing this industry, they have proposed to establish the National Fund of Funds, to ensure that the unique dynamics of the creative industry are considered when allocating resources, guaranteeing the industry is adequately resourced. Gaolathe, who is also the Vice President, also reiterated that the Fund will facilitate the creative industry and contribute to employment creation, especially for the youth. He said this Fund will enable the government to design modernised and high-impact investment models to allocate resources strategically, targeting priority sectors in line with national development objectives and also allowing disruptors and innovators including the creative industry to access funding. Meanwhile, 2025/2026 draft estimates of expenditure also show that the National Arts Council of Botswana will get P34 million.
The former Minister of Youth, Gender, Sports and Culture, Tumiso Rakgare, last year told Parliament that the NACB, was seriously underfunded. The NACB was established to facilitate, support, develop and promote creative and cultural industries locally, regionally, and internationally. The former minister told Parliament that the NACB had an arts and culture grant of P4 million against a P187.5 million funding request by artists for the 2023/24 financial year.
