NATIONAL ARTS COUNCIL OF BOTSWANA SIGNS MOU WITH NATIONAL ARTS COUNCIL OF SOUTH AFRICA

The National Arts Council of Botswana ( NACB) and the National Arts Council of South Africa ( NAC) sign a groundbreaking Memorandum of Agreement ( MOU) to bolster the creative and cultural sectors in both countries. This development took place on the 20th February 2024 in Johannesburg, South Africa at the National Arts Council of South Africa Head Offices.

NACB delegation comprising of Ms Obenne Mabaakanyi, Director of Creative and Cultural Sector Development, Ms. Otsetswe Koboyankwe, Board Secretary and Legal Counsel as well as Mr. Yoann Talhouarne, Technical Advisor, met with the NAC of South Africa comprising of Ms Julie Diphofa, Interim Chief Executive Officer, Ms Reshma Bhoola, Chief Financial Officer, Ms Puleng Lesala, Interim Arts Development Manager, Mr Sibonelo Chauke, Communications Manager and Mr Zola Lumko, Arts Development Officer.

“It gives me great pleasure to celebrate the collaboration between the NAC Botswana and NAC South Africa. This partnership marks a significant step towards fostering mutual understanding, appreciation and the development of arts and culture between our two nations. The collaboration itself will encompass a wide range of activities including research initiatives that will deepen our understanding our each other’s artistic traditions and cultural heritage. Through these research projects we aim to create platforms for sharing knowledge and insights that will enrich our artistic practices,” highlighted Ms. Diphofa in her keynote address.

Director of Creative and Cultural Sector Development, Ms. Mbaakanyi expressed her heartfelt gratitude to the National Arts Council of South Africa for seeing the great value in this historic partnership. “Our nations have major commonalities, and it is great to see the two countries come together to harness the future of the arts and culture sector. This is a celebration of our diversity and an opportunity to learn from each other and inspire each other. This collaboration is the first step in the right direction to ensure that both nations’ artistic industries benefit and see tangible results.”

The MOU is a groundbreaking development and a first of its kind for Botswana, which will see both countries work together to develop arts and culture practitioners with the aim of preserving indigenous and cultural heritage. The objective of the MOU is to promote and facilitate ( a) Cultural and Creative Exchange Programs, ( b) Heritage Preservation, ( c) Arts Education Partnerships and Residencies, ( d) Institutional Exchanges, Internship and Training and ( e) Research and Development.

The National Arts Council of Botswana believes that this MOU will assist in fast tracking and delivering on its mandate which is to support, develop and promote creative and cultural industries locally, regionally, and internationally.