20 Oct 2019

When American entertainer, Steve Harvey implored Batswana to unlock their potential and make use of available opportunities, it seemed like a far-fetched idea to some, but not to Seabelo Modibe.

Having been in the entertainment industry for over 20 years, Modibe is one person who always knocks on every door for opportunities.

This time, he realised the dream and wish of many Batswana; to penetrate the Black Entertainment Television (BET) through his Botswana International Music Conference (BIMC) initiative. When launching BIMC recently, Modibe revealed BET as one of the partners of the event, which is scheduled for November.

It is in that regard that Modibe implored promoters and artistes to use the experts and industry players, who would grace the event.

BIMC brings in various speakers with different expertise across the creative sector.

“Over 40 international speakers are expected to grace the event with an addition 40 locally,” he said, adding that local artistes should exploit opportunities and have their ideas and proposals ready.

The fifth annual BIMC will also provide two master classes of artistes’ management and bookings as well as copyright and royalties

Modibe further noted that the BET partnership comes in as a promotion for local artistes.

As a global channel operating in the global space, he said BET was well placed to expose Botswana talent globally.

BET will bring in a presenter during the BIMC event, which will give local talent an opportunity to share and expand on their artistic profiles.

BET programmes and content manager, David Molotlhanyi indicated that BET was building content from Africa.

Although the channel is well vested in Nigeria and South Africa, Molotlhanyi said they want to expand to the rest of the continent.

He said Botswana had so much happening adding that it was the perfect opportunity to tap into the market.

“We are at a point where we are building content. We want to tell the African story and own it,” he noted, saying it would be great to have Africans tell their stories. BET is due to release the story of two late South Africa’s music giants, Lebo Mathosa and HHP and Botswana too can tell her story through the arts.

Regarding their partnership with BIMC, Molotlhanyi said it was an opportunity for local artistes to work and collaborate with artistes from other countries as well as tap into the various markets and genres.

For her part, Ministry of Youth Empowerment, Sport and Culture Development’s arts and culture policy specialist, Dineo Phuti indicated that events such as BIMC were commendable as they assist the ministry to realise one of its responsibilities of promoting the growth of the arts and creation of more opportunities for artists.

The establishment of the long awaited National Arts Council in 2020, the Creative Industries Strategy and the review of the Cinematography Act, Phuti said would result in a more coordinated sector that could create the much needed jobs for the youth, artistes and further enhance economic diversification.

The conference is by registration for 150 participants, an increase from 100 the previous year.

BIMC has partnered with Ministry of Youth Empowerment, Sport and Culture Development, BET, MtvBase and CosBots. ENDS