Eleanor Roosevelt – Chairperson of the drafting committee of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights – once said: “To handle yourself, use your head; to handle others, use your heart.” This sage advice is seldom put into action by leaders when considering the plight of those experiencing marginality amongst their constituents. However, in hosting a breakfast engagement designated for contributors to the creative sector, President Mokgweetsi Masisi showcased his version of what could be considered heart-centric leadership.
The marquee at The Grand Palm Hotel Casino Convention Resort in Gaborone was brimming with star power as the select guests convened to break bread while unpacking the state of the sector during a balmy August morning.
The short programme was facilitated by Bofelo Kgaodi – who spared no opportunity to regale the audience with anecdotes of his journey in the creative sector spanning over 20 years. From infamously being cast as Jesus opposite his primary school best friend who played Judas, to enduring the itches of a polyester Santa Claus costume while trying to make ends meet, Kgaodi’s adventures kept the atmosphere lively throughout. Setswana poet, Eric ‘Mochana’ Motswalsele erupted into verse, laying the ground for what was to unfold. With an audience featuring living legends such as Socca Moruakgomo, Shanti Lo, Tebo Bakwena-Kabisoso, Mothusi Lesolle, Owen Rampha, Julia Tsile, Andrew Kola, Kearoma Rantao and Nora McAslin, the diverse generational representation was noteworthy. As such, the expectation of multi-industrial representation was amped up.
In his welcome address, the Minister of Youth, Gender, Sports and Culture, Tumiso Rakgare stated that the broad sector his ministry oversees is showing continual upward movement. Rakgare carved out time to praise the effective impact that Bridget Poppy John has had in her role as the Permanent Secretary to the ministry over her 10-month tenure thus far. Reflecting on a recent meeting with athletes, Golekane Mosweu and Joseph Ramotshabi – the only living members of Botswana’s Olympians from the 1980 Moscow Games – Rakgare reminded the audience that Setswana traditional teachings remind one that individual success is often the result of communal contributions. A seldom-known fact that the 1980 team competed wearing kit previously donned by the 1974 Commonwealth Games team was shared by the minister as he opined that members of the creative sector work together unashamedly.
While celebrating the efforts made by the first citizen’s office toward uplifting and sustaining artists and creative practitioners during their first term, Rakgare shone upon the audience that having a president dedicated to such works is a rarity. Among the many dispensations effected by President Masisi has been the allocation of P70 million in COVID-19 relief, P40 million towards video recordings to be aired on television, P2 million for various fashion industry practitioners, and P39 million toward offering 63 producers the opportunity to provide Now TV with content. Leaning into the campaigning spirit awash over the country, the minister wagged the proverbial finger stating that the audience be alert to the fact that no politician seeking office without acknowledging their plight and significance should be deemed worthy of their votes.
Industry stalwart, Zenzele Hirschfeld offered remarks on the value of dialogic engagements between the government and the creative sector. Using her seasoned experience, the event producer stated that “when government and creatives engage in dialogue, magic happens.” Her call to the government being that the dedication of resources and infrastructure be done, such that the very people whose work influences the societal temperature be given opportunities to be effective and successful at it. Recalling the inaugural meeting of its kind hosted at the State House in 2019, Hirschfeld reminded the audience that a 10-point agenda had been established and was yet to be fully realised. As an offer toward the realisation of Rakgare’s advisory that “sedibeng go iwa ka tsela”, Hirschfeld posed the challenge that the opportunity be used as a starting point to appreciate that members of the audience are ready to coordinate and execute the 60th Independence celebrations in 2026.
Kabelo Rapinyana – Assistant Chairperson of the Business Botswana Creative Arts and Media Sector group – led a trio of industry spokespersons featuring Philadelphia Motladiile-Kenneth and Ben Ngwato. Rapinyana hammered home that the creative sector is a vital part of the economic growth of many a country, and celebrated that the scripting of the National Development Plan 12 includes representatives from the sector’s thematic working group. Motladiile-Kenneth echoed Rapinyana’s call for institutional and infrastructural investment by the State toward the professionalisation of the creative sector. A published author with works prescribed for Std. 7 and Std. 3 students in government schools, Motladiile-Kenneth, also reminded the leadership present that one of the country’s greatest assets is the creative sector, existing long before the discovery of the very diamonds that are now being touted as the nation’s treasure.
The President met the room with equally vibrant energy and the spirit of an advocate. Not to be mistaken as an opportunist, he opened by stating that this second meeting was in the same spirit as the first born from his personal displeasure with the way the State’s relationship with its creatives has been governed. Opening by congratulating the overseeing ministry for its achievements to date, Masisi further alluded to efforts being undertaken to ensure that digital infrastructure, policies and opportunities will soon be availed to practitioners in Botswana. Stating that “the creative sector is expansive and immeasurable, and requires attention”, the president mentioned his yearning for practitioners in the sector to take control of the conversation concerning them. “The government shouldn’t be dictating what you do. The government should be chasing after you instead!” he said, pointing out that this expectation should be upheld even if his party isn’t successful in the upcoming elections.
Masisi echoed sentiments made by Rapinyana, Ngwato and Motladiile-Kenneth that Botswana has inadequate infrastructural support for the sector. Furthermore, he urged that early childhood development be taken seriously with a heavy leaning toward including creative expression and skills development. Speaking about the intention of his assumed second term, Masisi shared that his intention to engender happiness in his constituents requires every concerned party to “exploit, explore and indulge” in the offerings that creativity presents. The president was also quick to advise that diversity is essential to the development and success of the numerous avenues present in the creative sector; sharing that such lessons have been gathered through travels during his term.
It goes without saying that even after half a century, Botswana’s creative sector has suffered the consequences of its population size and general predilection against pomp. However, as exhibited by Motswasele, success is a matter of placing oneself in view of those whose gaze may convert into continual wealth. It simply now remains for time to offer testimony of the fruits of this engagement. Needless to say, the creative sector’s impact and influence in the country is far from negligible; even in the highest office.
