26 Jun 2022

The business community in Kanye has been advised to partake in national arts festivals by providing different services to participants, as that could help grow their businesses.

The business community were told that they could benefit from national arts festivals known for attracting numbers of competitors and spectators.

Kanye Administration Authority (KAA)’s Deputy District Commissioner, Norman Patlakwe said this during the South region choral competition themed:  Creative Industries a Vehicle for Sustainable Development, held in Kanye on Saturday.

He said during such competitions, businesses could provide different services such as accommodation, provision of attire, food and many other products and services.

“That will be increased business during that period,” he added.

Mr Patlakwe said the idea behind the arts competitions was to revive culture, to keep the youth off the streets, to show participants the value of arts in growing the economy, as well as to recognise and appreciate local talent.

He further urged the youth to take part in national arts festival competitions to stay away from different social ills.

“You are our future leaders hence the need for you to stay away from social ills. Arts could be a way out,” he said.  

Mr Patlakwe advised the attendees to vaccinate for COVID-19 and take booster shots as well as to continue adhering to all protocols, noting that the virus was said to be more active during cold season.

Southern Region District Coordinator at the ministry of Youth, Gender, Sport and Culture,  Minkie Bokole explained that south region which was made up of Southern district, Kweneng, South East District and Gaborone had five groups which were to compete but only two managed to do so, as others failed to meet the set requirements.

“I therefore urge all groups to take these competitions seriously and prepare well in time to avoid such incidents,” she said.

Bokole highlighted that the rules and regulations were meant to guide choral to greater heights hence the need to always abide by them.

“Even though we are here to celebrate, we have to keep in mind that the ultimate goal is to grow the arts to the level that they could meaningfully contribute to the economy,” she added.

However, Bokole said she was happy with the overall delivery of the event, adding that some of the challenges were a learning curve for them.

Chief Adjudicator, Mosetsanagape Gaorutwe said they were concerned about the low level of energy and movement of the choir on stage hence her advice to choirs to work hard on that especially during preparations for national competitions.

She said it was also important for choirs to learn and understand the language that the songs were written in, adding that aspects such as pronunciation of words were vital in perfection of songs.

Gaorutwe further said a message from the song should also be conveyed through actions on stage.

 “For example, someone even without hearing the song should get the message from dance and actions on stage,” she said.

She highlighted that rhythm and voices should be on tune, adding that quality of sound was also very important.

Choirs, she said were judged on two songs, being standard song and Lerabi song.

Diamond Melodies from Gaborone emerged victorious after attaining 83 points under standard song and 68 points on Lerabi song.

They were then crowned the winners with 151 overall points and they will represent the South region at the national arts festival finals slated for Gaborone in July.

Masire Serenaders from Kanye came second with 73 points under standard song, 65 points under Lerabi song and overall points of 138. ENDS