National Arts Council equipped to start operations
The council undergoing induction
The arts, entertainment and recreation sector has contributed P38.8 million to the Gross Domestic Product.
The numbers were recorded in Quarter 1 of 2021 by Statistics Botswana. This according to the Minister of Youth Empowerment, Sport and Culture Development, Tumiso Rakgare is despite the fact that this was during a period of shutdowns and other factors brought up by the Covid- 19 pandemic.
Speaking during an Induction event for the newly appointed Botswana National Arts Council at Avani Gaborone Resort and Casino on Monday, Rakgare noted that the creative industry presents low handing fruits which must be harvested as soon as possible. “This is a great indicator of the significance of the work that you have been called upon to do as the board,” he said.
The recently unveiled board has former Botswana Tourism Organisation CEO, Thabo Brian Dithebe as Chairperson. Other members include Tebatso Hule, Mogomotsi Mokgosi, Lerato Motshwarakgole, Reginald Bakwena, Musician Mmaphala Letsatle, Prof. Connie Rapoo. Other members that make up the 11- member board include representatives from Government, and these include Joel Thuto from Ministry of Presidential Affairs, Dean Thabo Molebatsi from Ministry that houses Arts and culture, Vuyelwa Segokgo from Ministry responsible for societies as well as Keitseng Monyatsi from Ministry of Trade. Rakgare further promised the board that for as long as he is in office as Minister, he will not interfere with the day to day running of the board. Meanwhile, he also called on the board to take the lessons from the induction; and carry them into the future, to inform their mandate and how they will interact with the secretariat, guiding them to effect significant and positive changes in the creative industry. “Your work must be above board and your conduct must be beyond reproach. That way you will instil in the secretariat that you lead, values that will take our country forward and make it competitive on the global stage,” he called. He further noted that the induction of the board coincides with the appointment of the Tsa Badiri Consultancy. The consultancy firm, he said was tasked with developing the organisational structure, job descriptions, recruitment, grading and remuneration of the secretariat of the Arts Council. This process is expected to be completed before the end of November 2021.“You will work closely with the board from the start to the completion of the process. My Ministry does not want a situation where we will be accused of imposing staff onto the board or vice versa,“he noted. Meanwhile, Acting CEO of PEEPA, Ishmael Joseph shared that the induction of the board is a collaboration between his office and MYSC. The workshop, he said is facilitated by Wise Leadership, a locally owned private company that offers board inductions amongst some of its services. He further said that Wise Leadership is well vested to facilitate board inductions, and evaluations to mention but a few. He also said that they were hopeful that the council members will be equipped with essential corporate governance knowledge and skills necessary to discharge their role and responsibilities as directors. “It gives me full trust that the esteemed members gathered here today will serve in the best interest of the BNAC to ensure that it realises national policy priorities and objectives,” he said. The National Arts Council of Botswana Act came into effect on the 17th of September 2020. The Council is set up to coordinate and regulate the Arts and Culture Sector, promote good corporate governance, facilitate cultural exchanges with other countries and stakeholders, advise Government on matters relating to arts and culture, and facilitate commercialization of arts and culture activities, among others.
An expression of interest was flighted by PEEPA and 148 applications were received, following which a shortlist of 15 applicants were presented to the Ministry for selection. The NAC Board will be in office for a period of 3 years ending in July 2024.