NACB Strengthens Ties with Bobirwa District to Boost Local Creative Economy

NACB Strengthens Ties with Bobirwa District to Boost Local Creative Economy. The Acting Chief Executive Officer of the National Arts Council of Botswana (NACB), Ms. Otsetswe K. Koboyankwe, engaged with the Bobirwa District Council during its Full Council Meeting on Thursday, 18 September 2025. Her presentation highlighted the NACB’s mandate, achievements, and its growing role in supporting local economic and cultural development.

Ms. Koboyankwe outlined the Council’s commitment to empowering communities through arts and culture, citing the positive impact of the National Arts Festival in the Bobirwa Region. She noted the participation of local artists and winners from the area, as well as the festival’s contribution to the district’s economy by engaging small, micro and medium enterprises (SMMEs). Procurement for the event, she emphasized, had prioritised youth-owned businesses, ensuring that young entrepreneurs benefit directly from national cultural initiatives.

“The NACB believes in working hand-in-hand with district councils to make sure our programmes reach grassroots communities,” she said, underlining collaboration as a key pillar in expanding the reach of arts and cultural programmes nationwide.

For entrepreneurs in the creative industry, these engagements present opportunities for growth, especially in areas such as event services, crafts, catering, and cultural tourism. By linking arts and culture to local enterprise, the NACB is positioning the sector as both a driver of heritage preservation and a contributor to economic inclusion.

The Bobirwa District Council Chairperson, Honourable Gaosikelwe, together with councillors, welcomed the NACB’s efforts and pledged their full support. They stressed the value of state-owned entities like NACB in uplifting communities, preserving cultural identity, and creating platforms where local businesses can thrive alongside national cultural initiatives.