The Leader of Opposition (LoO), Dithapelo Keorapetse has called on ministries for organising events and leaving out promoters and events managers on the lurch.
Keorapetse was responding to Monday’s State Of The Nation (SONA) address delivered by President Mokgweetsi Masisi. He said that when and if his Umbrella for Democratic Change (UDC) takes over government in next year’s general election, it would put an immediate stop to the practice.
“We will immediately stop the Ministry responsible from being a big events manager where ministry officials and have these done by promoters and event’s management companies. There is an outcry that ministry officials dominate these events and actually gobble a good portion of the money for these events, money which should pay young people involved in the sector,” he said.
The LoO further stated that the UDC will also come up with initiatives to allow local creatives to monetise their social media following. Keorapetse said that Botswana has young creatives who have huge following on social media like William Last KRM, Natasha Kemonna who recently won Annual Glitz Award of Best Styled Tick-Toker, Vee Mampeezy, Angel Tselakgopo and Jack Bohloko who should, like their peers in other countries be earning a living through the platform.
“Young Batswana are making it on social media platforms such as Facebook, YouTube, Tiktok and others. This niche has enabled many young content creators elsewhere to earn a living, some to the point of affording luxury lifestyle because of monetizing these platforms. Most of our young content creators with large following are not paid adequately to earn a living by social media companies and companies that advertise on their platforms. This is mainly because As a country we don’t have a payment gateway hence we find ourselves not able to monitize such platforms as YouTube.,” he said.
He continued: “We don’t have an IBAN which could be provided by Bank of Botswana, our view is that they feel it’s nothing necessary. The UDC will make sure that young people monetize youtube content in our home country by being on what is Called "Youtube Partner Programme" and will accordingly amend our tax laws, cyber laws and anti-money laundering controls and make sure that all regulators are on top of their game to enable our young talented entrepreneurs to thrive in social media entrepreneurship.”
He also lambasted the current leadership for failing local sports talent. “Whilst we celebrate Letsile Tebogo and others who also particiate in world stage, let us remind this government that these young people use a gym which is not even have air conditioneer at the public facility. Hence, they have to subscribe to local gyms which most sport associations can't afford. As it the norm under this government, athletes who hoist this flag higher are only known for ovations as a matter of political grandstanding. I can name Nigel Amos, Lydia Jele, Isaac Makwala, Ross Branch as victims of this grandstanding. Where are they now? This government only cared about gaining mileage.”
He pointed out that there is need to upgrade our sporting facilities and make them accessible to our local talent. “The few sport academies that exist don't even exist in the statutes of their sports. There's no mention of how government intends to support them in the BNSC Act Most National teams have failed to participate in any international activities because of 'lack of funds'. Are the small stadia being built to serve recreational sport? We want results but place resources elsewhere. Sport is too politicised that those playing it and running it don't get involved in decision making on pertinent matters that determine how they are run to produce results.”
Keorapetse took a swipe at the Minister of Youth, gender, sport and Culture Tumiso Rakgare for making Botswana’s failed AFCON bid his pet project.
“It is every Motswana’s dream to see our country hosting sporting events however, what disturbs is the manner at which this bid was undertaken. It was Hon. Rakgare’s pet project while football stakeholders left in the lurch. It is why even the President failed to give a report on the bid,” he said.
