After traversing 52 locations to unearth emerging creative artists, the Department of Broadcasting Services (DBS) in collaboration with DJ Fresh held an awards ceremony this past weekend to celebrate the very best of Botswana’s emerging talent in the creative sector.
Over 900 participants were identified through the first of its kind nationwide roadshow in conjunction with Thato Sikwane aka DJ Fresh of Big Dawg Productions as the Lead Project Coordinator.
Out of 900 incredibly talented artists, the 30 most promising were selected to attend a boot camp from the 9th to the 13th January to polish them and prepare them to be industry ready.
In his welcome remarks, the Minister for State President Kabo Morwaeng, informed that the campers were guided on issues of branding and imaging, usage of social media for content creation, and how to monetize their earnings.
President Dr. Mokgweetsi Masisi who graced the event said that the roadshow was necessary, bearing in mind the devastation that the Covid-19 pandemic left on the creative industry
“In my discussions with my friend the President of the Swiss Confederation Alain Berset, we agreed at Presidential level that the Botswana National Arts Council and its counterpart in Switzerland are going to collaborate. Part of that collaboration will involve the capacitation of our National Arts Council in order to fast-track the development of the ecosystem to grow our arts sector.
DJ Fresh went on to highlight and celebrate the hundreds of talented youngsters that were uncovered through the roadshow. “While it gives me great pleasure to tell you all that Botswana truly does have great talent, it is the lack of resources availed to creatives that is my greatest concern. I am not saying that we should spoon-feed our creatives, but we need to give them zero excuses for not delivering.”
He reiterated the words of the President, urging the newly established National Arts Council to work in earnest to develop the local creative industry to grow in leaps and bounds.
“Big Dawg Productions has committed a recording studio which will be stationed in one of the regions. It will be freely available for those needing studio time. We do this in the hope that the private sector will join the party and provide more facilities of this nature in other corners of the country to support the local creative industry” said Fresh.
He also called for the set-up of recording studios in DBS offices which are stationed all over the country.
The ceremony showcased truly the talent that our country holds. It also highlighted the need to penetrate even the furthest parts of the country to identify and nurture hidden talents.
The youngest participant was a self-taught 7-year-old guitarist from Mahalapye, the youngest producer was a 17-year-old from Zowa with the youngest rapper being a 10-year-old girl from Ghanzi.
DBS and Big Dawg Productions have committed themselves to nurture and mentor these youngsters, ensuring that they commit to school and their creative talents.
The highlight of the night was when artist and entrepreneur BK Proctor gifted the President with a custom-made pair of sneakers that had the president’s initials penned on them. Wasting no time, Mr President kicked off his formal shoes and rocked the customized sneakers.
