Raisedon Baya
LAST week I wrote about an experience we had in Botswana while pursuing networking opportunities. The article received several interesting responses. A friend quickly texted me to say I should start a travelling blog.
Travel and write about your experiences, he said excitedly. To be honest I had never really thought about a travelling blog. I love travelling. It frees my mind and gives my spirit an opportunity to soar into the sky and just be free. Now I am seriously considering it.
An acquaintance from Botswana was quick to react. “The sad part is that it’s not just xenophobia. Our customer service is generally poor. It seems people are angry at having to work, and have no problems taking on customers — foreign customers especially.”
Angry at working? They don’t know how lucky they are to have jobs and a working economy.
They should ask the millions of Zimbabweans who are out of work and who live in an economy that has collapsed. Who can blame them? They are privileged.
Several arts colleagues said creating cross border networks was the way to go. They called it expanding one’s influence and markets. Josh Nyapimbi, as usual made me see beyond the usual.
He was quite candid in his response. No sympathies about the apparent xenophobic attitude exhibited by the Batswanas at both the border and hotel.
“Your treatment was usual. It is expected,” he said. “International trade and collaborations are no longer child’s play. Not for soft tackles.
Always be prepared for hard tackles. If you are not prepared for some roughness then be prepared for some big surprises.”
He then went on to give me examples on Brexit, on Donald Trump and his tough foreign policies.
All tough talk and tough tackles. Closer at home he gave examples of South Africa and Nigeria and how they have been aggressive in creating the perception that they are the only two African nations that mattered to the world.
Look at how they have grabbed international attention and are taking African markets with their collaborations. In all honesty Nigeria and South Africa have literally monopolised creative markets in Africa.
Just look at DStv. Soon, with the backing of Netlix and Hollywood, they will be taking over the rest of the African markets if we are not careful. Once they start coming for the rest of Africa they will squeeze all the little players out of business and maybe out of existence.
The solution is only one. Coming together, collaborating as small countries, and securing the African markets before they come for them. We must close the gaps so that when they come they will have no choice but to sit down with us.
We must start seriously thinking about this thing called regioness. Let’s start by securing markets and opportunities in the region. This means working harmoniously together towards the common goal of improving the region.
The region here being the Southern African Development Community (Sadc). We should focus on building and sharing resources within the region, sharing ideas and best practices, sharing markets and business spaces. Sadc is about 14 countries.
The good thing about this is that Sadc is a grouping already in existence and with existing structures that the arts sector should just be utilising.
What happened to Artist Trust and the Sadc Aids Festival? What happened to Sadc Dance Festival? What happened to South African Theatre
Initiative (Sati)? I could mention some more initiatives that perhaps need reviving through, of course, the Sadc arts and culture desk and other private initiatives.
My talk with Nyapimbi made me aware of the amount of work that needs to be done — and none will do that work except us. We are the people that have to secure the future for the coming generation.
My parting shot for this week is to artistes. Let’s strive to secure regional, local and markets first before we aim for Europe.