Jaw jaw not war war
The creative sector is up in arms over the prolonged reopening of their sector, taking to the streets in the most visible fashion and in the process stirring up national divide over their cause.
Leading figures in this sector, such as Vee, ATI and Franco led the charge against authorities this week, some parts pleading, some parts threatening, as they voiced the plight of hundreds in this sector have faced since gatherings for entertainment were suspended due to COVID-19.
Their complaints are credible. The creative industry, particularly the performing arts which are wholly dependent on gatherings and numbers, has been hard hit by the COVID-19 restrictions. Even on their best days, many members of this industry live hand to mouth, dependent on shows to eke a living.
Many in this sector have always harboured the belief that authorities generally do not take entertainment as a profession that needs to be recognised as viable employment that can be engaged and catered for at government level.
Creatives believe that perhaps in 2020 there are still those in government who view the industry as a hobby, something done ‘ by the way’ when someone is waiting for better opportunities.
Perhaps the creative sector is viewed as a part of the informal sector, itself generally sidelined in most mainstream government policies.
Whatever the official perception, the creative sector’s legitimate complaints lost much-needed public support and official government sympathy this week due to the manner in which some members decided to air their grievances.
The gatherings seen at GSS Grounds and at Old Naledi certainly left a sour taste in the mouths of many, with hundreds of young children running about mask-less, social distancing thrown to the wind and worse, people screaming face to face at a time when more than 130 cases of COVID-19 are being recorded per day in the country.
For an industry built on communicating, performing artists shot themselves in the foot with the method they chose to show their displeasure. Regardless of their frustration and the fact that they tried dialogue in a previous meeting with their minister, the approach chosen this week was totally incongruent with the fight the rest of society is waging against the pandemic.
Other sectors similarly affected by COVID-19 restrictions have coordinated their efforts, grouped themselves formally and presented united and compelling recommendations to authorities. More importantly, these sectors have proposed solutions to their own plight, outlining measurable commitments, and failsafes. bFor its part, government has appeared hesitant to engage the creatives, with a lukewarm response from the ministry and a rather scolding statement by President Mokgweetsi Masisi. Surely, both sides and Batswana in general, would be better served by coming together to dialogue on what can and what cannot be done.
Other worse-affected countries are hosting socially distanced shows, virtual conferences, Covid-19 testing priced into tickets and other innovations.
The difficulties are known, but the solutions are up for discussion if cool heads could prevail.