02 Nov 2020

Francistown shall not be a pass-through place to other destinations, but is going to be a tourist destination because of venues such as Nyangabgwe Hill Arts Hub.

This was said by Assistant Minister of Youth Empowerment, Sports and Culture Development, Buti Billy during the official opening and fund-raising event of Nyangabgwe Hill Arts Hub held at the footsteps of Nyangabgwe Hill. 

Thus, he urged all to take ownership of the place and be proud of themselves.

He said it was the community, which could develop and grow the brand of Francistown by coming up with innovative ideas such as arts hub, basing on the fact that the city had the intersection, an international airport, state of the art stadium and other developments.

Billy said it was the role of government, organisations and individual to sustain the economy of Botswana and contribute to the development of the communities and by so doing, it was an indication that Botswana had started to support locals.

“Today, we bear witness to the official launch of an arts hub that will likely be unmatched here during our time. I stand here today as the assistant minister and inform you that because of places such as this one, the creative industry is promising to come back,” he said.

He said Nyangabgwe Hill Arts Hub came at the right time when the ministry was committed to growth and development of arts. He also added that it was critical that they promote and preserve culture for posterity, economic empowerment as it remained central to the current agenda of the President.

Billy said there was an emerging realisation that professionalising arts could be an avenue for economic empowerment, adding that ministry had taken a deliberate position to work with stakeholders towards commercialisation of arts, particularly that Arts Council Bill had been approved by Parliament.

Billy said the venue would also attract attention of visitors from all over the country and at the same time being used by government departments, corporate and individuals to host corporate and social events and activities such as workshops, training, seminars, bootcamps, corporate parties and weddings.

The venue comprises of all year-round businesses that includes a traditional food restaurant and coffee shop, cocktail bar, curio shop for artifacts display, exhibition and camp site area, children playground swimming pool and a performance stage.

Director of Nyangabgwe Hill Arts, Ngwisiwa Ntogwa reiterated that the area was suitable for weddings, parties, training, fundraising and other activities.ENDS