Samantha Mogwe nurtures talent from the grassroot
Samantha Mogwe empowers female music creators
Botswana is rich with creative talent, yet its music industry sees a significant underrepresentation of female artists and producers. This disparity is precisely what “Tune Into Empowerment” aims to address.
This innovative six-month music business and leadership development program, funded by the Levy on Technical Devices Fund through Companies and Intellectual Property Authority (CIPA) and implemented by Nala Project Masters, is designed to empower young women, equipping them with the knowledge and tools to thrive sustainably in the creative economy.
The need for such a program is clear. Globally, women make up less than 20% of music producers, and their presence in executive or technical roles within Botswana’s music industry is even smaller.
UNESCO reports that women in cultural industries earn 30% less than their male counterparts. Locally, young female artists frequently encounter contract exploitation, limited access to professional networks, and a general lack of industry understanding.
Tune Into Empowerment offers a multi-faceted approach to these challenges. Participants will engage in four intensive capacity-building workshops led by over 20 local and international industry experts.
The curriculum covers essential areas such as music business fundamentals, branding, copyright, mental health, and financial literacy. A significant component of the program involves hands-on learning, culminating in the creation of original music and final participant showcases.
All sessions will be filmed and documented, not only to boost visibility but also to create lasting educational content. This initiative is more than just a program; it’s a dedicated platform to cultivate female creative leadership within Botswana’s music sector.
The journey for Tune Into Empowerment began with vibrant auditions held on July 5th and 6th, 2025, at the National Museum in Gaborone. These auditions brought together a diverse group of young women aged 18 to 30, all eager to grow and contribute to Botswana’s music and production landscape.
It was a true celebration of untapped potential, with a range of talent from soulful vocalists to genre-bending artists, underscoring the timely and necessary nature of this initiative.
A panel of respected judges, bringing over 30 years of combined experience in the creative industry, lent their expertise and discernment to the process. The panel included Amantle Brown (recording artist, songwriter, performer, entrepreneur), Mellisah Roberts (creative entrepreneur and beauty professional), and Cedric Ncube (musician, music teacher).
Their diverse backgrounds provided a well-rounded lens for judging, blending performance insight, academic grounding, and studio-savvy experience. The feedback they offered was invaluable, not only in identifying standout participants but also in providing real-time guidance and encouragement to every auditioner.
Following a thorough and holistic selection process, thirty talented young women were chosen to advance to the workshop phase. This inaugural cohort represents a wide array of styles, backgrounds, and visions, and they now stand on the brink of a truly transformative learning experience.
The workshop series is set to begin on Saturday, July 19th, and will conclude on Sunday, July 27th, 2025. After the workshops, the cohort will be narrowed down to a final group of ten.
These selected participants will then move forward to the next exciting phase, which includes recording original music and continuing their professional development under the program’s guidance. The future of female leadership in Botswana’s music industry looks brighter than ever.
