Botswana’s renowned radio DJ export, Thato ‘Dj Fresh’ Sikwane through his company Big Dawg Productions has today joined forces with the Department of Broadcasting Services to embark on a national capacity building tour following a successful radio presenters and producers workshop at Mass Media in Gaborone recently. The national tour which started today in Kanye and will roll into different villages and towns targeting musicians, producers, film makers, authors and publishers.
Speaking at opening of the tour that targeted the state owned radio stations presenters and producers at Mass Media, the Deputy Permanent Secretary for State President (Information, Broadcasting and Printing) Oshinka Tsiang has advised broadcasters to keep abreast with the industry trends to remain relevant and offer unique programmes to listeners.
Tsiang said this during the training workshop for the broadcasters from Radio Botswana, RB2 and Botswana Television this morning in Gaborone. The three day training was conducted in partnership with DJ Fresh of Big Dawg Productions and Grant Jonathan.
“This training is in line with government focus as you are aware, we are in the process of the reset agenda. When you reset it means you have to look at stuff that you have been doing that is not right to stop it and start doing the ones that needs to be done. For a while, we have been running these services without really consciously re-tooling and re-skilling to fit in the world of today. Trends are changing very rapidly and it was important to have this partnership,” said Tsiang
For his part Sikwane said he started his radio career at RB2 30 years ago, without undergoing any training but he managed because of the burning desire to do the job. He said broadcasters often take their passion for granted in that after being employed they relax.
“I am always willing to invest in my craft to learn and empower myself. The industry has changed. As much as we think we are good at what we do, the minute you think you know everything, you are as good as dead. I have listened to a lot of broadcasters who are talented and have not grown. That is why I proposed this training among other things,” he added
BTV General Manager Joel Thuto thanked management for organizing training and bringing experts to impart the knowledge. He said it will help employees to keep up with the industry’s demands as it is transformation.
