The National Arts Council of Botswana (NACB)has announced the appointment of Gaokgakala Daniel Lemmenyane as the Chief Executive Officer. A seasoned arts administrator, cultural policy specialist, and resource mobilisation strategist with over 15 years of leadership across the creative sector, academia, government, and international institutions.
His academic accolades include a Bachelor of Arts and Post Graduate Certificate of Education from University of Cape Town. He further garnered a Master of Arts from University of Witwatersrand where he continues to pursue his Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) candidature.
With a career rooted in building sustainable arts ecosystems, Lemmenyane brings a rare combination of sector-wide artistic literacy, institutional management, and high-level policy and partnership experience. Lemmenyane’s career in the creative and cultural industries is beautifully decorated by years of leadership in both creative practice and educational development. He served for six years as the Director of Maitisong Theatre, Maru-a-Pula School, leading operations while driving sponsorship-based programming. In this role, he conceptualised, produced and fundraised for Maitisong Festival, the Mascom President’s Concert, and Barclays’ Madi Majwana (radio drama, stage production and social media campaign). His tenure demonstrated strong and sustained long-term partnerships within the corporate sector.
His academic leadership includes five years at Wits University (Johannesburg, South Africa) as Head of Arts Department and lecturer where he contributed to teaching, research and strategic institutional performance. He is a founding member of Drama for Life, an international programme based at Wits University that champions skills development, recognition of prior learning, and the integration of creative methodologies into education, health and social justice.
Lemmenyane also brings direct industry insight, having served for four years as a UNICEF Botswana Consultant, leading productions including the adaptation of MTV’s internationally acclaimed television and radio series Shuga Down South. This experience sharpened his understanding of the lived realities of creative entrepreneurs, including procurement barriers, late payments, and intellectual property vulnerabilities.
At national policy level, he served as Policy Specialist for Arts & Culture in the former Ministry of Youth Empowerment, Sport & Culture Development, overseeing departments spanning National Celebrations, Visual Arts, Arts & Culture, and Youth Broadcasting Channel (NOW!).
He helped shape post-COVID recovery interventions for creatives and played a key role, alongside PEEPA in establishing the inaugural NACB Board, from recruitment to launch.
His most recent appointment was at the African Union Commission (Addis Ababa, Ethiopia) where he served as Advisor to the Chairperson of the AU Commission on Education, Science, Technology & Innovation (ESTI), a senior role supporting strategy, stakeholder engagement, and partnerships with AU organs, Member States, Regional Economic Communities and global partners. This work has expanded his diplomatic reach and networks, assets he intends to leverage for Botswana’s creative economy, including opportunities such as digitisation of art collections, content monetisation and strengthened international collaborations.
With Lemmenyane at the helm, NACB is well positioned for continued growth and success. The Council is excited about the experience, energy, and leadership he brings to grow the creative and cultural sector.
