Gumare — The President, Lt Gen. Seretse Khama Ian Khama, has announced that preparations are being carried out by the Ministry of Youth, Sport and Culture to revamp President's Day celebrations that will now focus on promoting Batswana heritage.

Addressing the national congress of the Botswana Democratic Party (BDP) youth wing at Gumare in the Okavango Sub-District, President Khama said the programme of events for the day would include competitions in contemporary music, traditional song and dance, theatre, poetry, art and craft. He said the competitions would start at regional level before proceeding to national level.

"My government's position is that our arts, culture and heritage must be celebrated nationwide so that we can all truly enjoy our unity in diversity," he said.

Further, he said he intended to empower Batswana artists and craft persons through a deliberate decision to direct the public sector and parastatals and also to encourage the private sectors to buy their products.

"Local artists can only be empowered if this deliberate decision is followed to the letter. Public organisations have been directed to budget for this," he explained. General Khama said traditional dancers needed to be assisted in their talents, adding that the Ministry of Youth, Sport and Culture was engaged in consultations with the tourism board to determine the best way the idea could be implemented.

"You will be updated on the modalities but you should also come up with suggestions. It is important that we should explore all avenues in an effort to empower and improve the livelihoods of all citizens," he said.

President Khama said the nation should have clear strategies for talent search for all spheres of arts, adding that the exercise would help to motivate young people to pursue artistic careers and also showcase the artistic creativity of Batswana.

"We will document and create a data base of all artistes in our country and the Ministry of Youth, Sport and Culture will give priority to this exercise he said. BOPA