Delivering the Budget Speech on Monday, Gaolathe 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. In addition, to demonstrate our commitment to developing this industry, we will, through the proposed National Fund of Funds, ensure that the unique dynamics of the creative industry are considered when allocating resources, guaranteeing the industry is adequately resourced,” said Gaolathe.
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. “This initiative will mark a significant shift in our approach to economic development, fostering an environment where entrepreneurship thrives and where our investments yield maximum returns in terms of job creation, growth, and innovation,” he added. The minister said Botswana possesses a rich and compelling tradition of song, poetry, dress, story-telling, dance, design, painting, art, craftsmanship, rhetoric, beading, comedy and performance. “Our land is a theatre and stage upon which to watch the most beautiful sunrises, sunsets, the birds – the herons, and the egrets. In the modern day, we are the home of the finest soloists, DJs, recording artists, filmmakers and actors. They walk in the footsteps of our literary giants – Ratsie Setlhako, Ponatshego Mokane and L.D. Raditladi and now Moroka Moreri. The time has come to embed our indigenous creativity in our entire national life and export our culture through film, jewellery, art and performance. We should build the infrastructure to facilitate this,” he stated.
