Showbiz Entertainment Conference coming to Botswana
Plans are at an advanced stage to host Showbiz Entertainment Africa Botswana (SEAfricaBW) conference – an event dedicated to the development and growth of the industry. Aptly tagged SEAfricaBW, the inaugural event will take place on the 2nd and 3rd of September 2019 at the New Capitol Cinemas at Masa in Gaborone’s Central Business District (CBD).
According to the organisers, Sixpence Media spearheaded by Tshepo Ntshole, SEAfricaBW will have among others, exhibitions and networking sessions as it primes to become the ultimate business meeting place for talent, managers, entrepreneurs, business and other role players in the entertainment industry to stay ahead of the dynamic and ever changing industry.
A visit to SEAfricaBW will expose one to show business proven approaches, trends, market disruptions, and other strategic challenges. “We have an exciting line-up which we are still building but we can confirm that COSBOTS, SAMRO, industry leaders such as Tonderai Tsara of The Dialogue Group, Gao Lemmenyane, Andrew Kola, Game “Zeus” Bantsi, Charles Stuart from Price Water House Coopers(SA), Valentine Gaudin – Head of Trace Africa, Owen Rampha – Broadcast Consultant, Kenilwe “iDLE” Mohutsiwa- App Developer, George Beke- MD for GEOBEK Entertainment, Mercy Thebe- PR Specialist, Kelly Ramputswa- head of Yarona FM and The Botswana Film Festival will be amongst the speakers and panellists presenting over the two (2) day period,” said Ntshole.
Having seen the idea in South Africa, Ntshole brought the initiative home as she felt it was an ideal platform where those in the entertainment industry could use to grow their crafts into profitable entities as well as encourage collaboration.SEAfrica was launched in 2014 in South Africa and was introduced as part of the Joburg Arts Alive International Festival. The event takes place annually during the month of September and has grown from attracting less than 200 conference goers to over 500 in 2018. The project was born out of a need to contribute towards the development of the various industries by bridging the gap between creative expression and business practice.
The upcoming conference is expected to bring together creative artists and stakeholders under one roof where they will deliberate on numerous issues affecting their crafts as well as find solutions to becoming commercial.“The conference aims to connect and make sense of the linkages between the various disciplines under the entertainment industry and how best to use the resources around us to create feasible businesses that add value. The event is an information sharing and networking platform that focuses on the inter-relations of the various disciplines, eco systems available to us and how best to harness them for the growth of our individual creative works.
It looks at how best to run your craft as a business and who to work with to better achieve this goal,” added Ntshole. Furthermore, Ntshole added, “In the next 12 months, we will be running individual and targeted sessions with specific disciplines to further continue conversations around sustainability. We are continuing to engage partners but those that have jumped on board to make this event possible include, Masa Square Hotel, Yarona FM, TRACE AFRICA and WindRush Communications.”
“We are currently engaging MYSC for assistance and based on their eagerness through their various engagements with members of the entertainment industry- to further the arts and entertainment industry at large, the belief is that the response will be positive,” said Ntshole.SEAfrica comes to Botswana after a successful spell in South Africa courtesy of its founder Peter Sibeko. Started 5 years ago, SEAfrica has attracted over 1000 stakeholders to date including renowned speakers such as Yvonne Chaka Chaka, Donavan Goliath, David Kau and Marang Setshwaelo among many.
When giving insights to his breakthrough during the launch of SEAfricaBW launch, Sibeko who has over 20 years in the arts industry said the concept came as a result of misplaced ways of monetizing by artists through their different crafts. Tickets are now available at all Webtickets outlets for P150 (1 day pass) and P250 (2 Day Pass) www.seafricabw.com