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National Music Industry Summit brings Global and Local Industry Leaders in conversation about Monetizing Botswana’s Culture and Creative Industries
The music industry in Botswana has long been neglected and overlooked, but a ray of hope has emerged with the recent launch of the National Arts Council Botswana. This promising development signals the potential for unlocking real commercial value in an industry that has been striving for recognition. As anticipation builds, industry professionals, artists, and stakeholders are preparing to attend the upcoming National Music Industry Summit, hosted by the Botswana-EU Policy Dialogue Facility in partnership with the Ministry of Youth, Gender, Sports, and Culture, along with the National Arts Council Botswana.
Taking place from 31st May to 1st June 2023 at the Masa Protea Hotel, the National Music Industry Summit will serve as a pivotal platform for global and local cultural and creativity industry leaders to share invaluable insights on monetizing Botswana’s culture and creative industries. Attendees will have the opportunity to collaborate, innovate, and uplift their livelihoods through engaging discussions, workshops, and networking sessions.
The summit boasts an impressive lineup of speakers, including renowned industry professionals such as Raphael Benza of VTH Season, Wendy Becker, Regional Manager Africa at Ditto Music, Karate Senna from Samro, Violet Marla of the Music In Africa Foundation, and Thabo Malefane of Mino Music. These esteemed experts will provide attendees with practical knowledge, guidance, and inspiration to navigate the complex terrain of the music business.
The National Arts Council Botswana aims to breathe new life into an industry that has been longing for recognition and support. By organizing the National Music Industry Summit, they are championing the cause of Botswana’s artists and creatives, empowering them to explore untapped opportunities and embrace innovation in their careers. The event will also provide a platform for participants to discuss the challenges and prospects of the music industry in Botswana, fostering a collaborative environment to drive its growth.
For more information about the National Music Industry Summit and how to participate, please reach out to Ms. Monkgogi Osenotse, Projects Officer (Change Africa), at 267 75564978 or via email at info@changeafrica.com. This is an event that no music industry enthusiast in Botswana can afford to miss. Join the movement and be part of the transformation that promises to unlock the true potential of Botswana’s cultural and creative industries.
Paris Fashion Week became a little more Botswana this October as actress, media personality, and creative entrepreneur Marang Selolwane graced the MAXHOSA AFRICA runway.
Taking to social media, Marang shared her pride in representing Botswana on one of fashion’s biggest stages:
“From Africa to Paris, walking for MAXHOSA was more than fashion; it was a statement. It was history in motion. A celebration of culture, creativity, and connection, shared with my beautiful besties.”
The show, themed #ThePinkTableParis, was a striking celebration of African luxury and craftsmanship — hallmarks of the South African brand MAXHOSA AFRICA, founded by visionary designer Laduma Ngxokolo. Known for its bold knitwear and cultural storytelling, MAXHOSA’s presence in Paris signaled not only a creative milestone for African design but also a moment of pride for the continent’s creative community.
A Botswana Creative on Global Stages
For Marang, this runway wasn’t just about fashion. It symbolized the global rise of Batswana creativity — a reminder that Botswana’s creative talent is ready to be seen, celebrated, and included in global conversations around art, fashion, and culture.
As one of Botswana’s most recognizable creative figures, Marang has seamlessly blended media, entrepreneurship, and fashion throughout her career. Her appearance on the Paris runway reinforces her status as a cultural ambassador, showing that authenticity and representation go hand-in-hand with glamour and grace.
A Celebration of Culture and Connection
The MAXHOSA Paris show was more than a collection — it was a cultural movement. Through vibrant colors, intricate beadwork, and bold silhouettes, the runway showcased Africa’s ability to set trends rather than follow them.
Marang’s participation was not only symbolic of her own journey but also a statement of solidarity with African creatives redefining luxury and identity.
“It was history in motion,” she wrote — and indeed it was. From Gaborone to Paris, this moment reflects the global heartbeat of African creativity.
Botswana to the World
Marang Selolwane’s runway debut for MAXHOSA is more than a personal win — it’s a national moment. It affirms that Botswana’s creative industry has a place at the global table, and that its voices — expressive, grounded, and dynamic — continue to resonate beyond borders.
From Botswana to the world, Marang Selolwane walks not just in style, but in purpose.
Few stories capture the grit and artistry of Botswana’s creative scene like that of Mophato Dance Theatre. Their recent journey to the Cheonan World Dance Festival 2025 in South Korea, where they finished fourth out of thirty-eight global contenders, is not just a result to celebrate—it is a reflection of years of discipline, leadership, and unwavering belief in the power of dance.
Mophato has long stood as one of Botswana’s cultural exports, carrying stories rooted in tradition yet alive with contemporary energy. Their performances are more than choreography; they are carefully woven narratives where rhythm, athleticism, and emotion collide. Every sequence speaks of long nights in the rehearsal room, the resilience to keep going, and the hunger to represent Botswana with excellence on the world stage.
Central to this journey is Andrew Letso Kola, the visionary guiding Mophato with both discipline and care. His leadership has transformed the company into more than a dance troupe—it is now a collective that inspires young people to see possibility in their craft, to understand that discipline and creativity can open doors across borders. After Cheonan, his message to the team was clear: that their art and spirit have already made them champions, regardless of scorecards.
What makes Mophato remarkable is not only what they do on stage, but the hard work behind it. From raising funds to travel, to the countless hours of practice, to holding themselves accountable to the highest standards—Mophato embodies perseverance. And in doing so, they carry all of us along with them, showing that Botswana’s artistic voices can stand proudly in global arenas.
Their fourth-place finish at Cheonan is a milestone, but it is not the end. It is part of a bigger story—a story of Botswana’s creativity pushing boundaries, demanding recognition, and inspiring others to dream bolder. Mophato Dance Theatre reminds us that success is not just about trophies or rankings—it’s about impact, influence, and the courage to keep dancing forward.
Botswana’s own Sandi has proudly announced on Facebook that he contributed guitar work to Shekhinah’s surprise album Less Trouble. While the full scope of his input remains under wraps, we know for sure he played the chords on the album’s intro — a warm, string-led start that sets the tone for a soulful, collaborative project.
Less Trouble brings together an impressive lineup of talent. Featured artists include Lordkez, Mars Baby, Moliy, and Young Stunna, while the producer roster boasts names like Brendon-Lee Johnson, Gregory Abrahams, I’m Not Goofy, Master A Flat, Mzizi, NellzKxhris, Roark Bailey, Rudolph Willemse, Shekhinah, and Vuyo.
We celebrate Sandi for representing Botswana on an album stacked with some of Africa’s most exciting voices. Congratulations!
