EP65 | What Stops Botswana's Creative Industry From growing? Zeus On Creativity In Botswana

Botswana’s creative industry has talent, ambition, and global potential, but something in the system keeps holding it back. In this episode of the Growth Well Podcast, Mr K (Oabona Kgengwenyane) sits down with Zeus, a multifaceted creative (recording artist, filmmaker, cultural entrepreneur, and former COSBOTS board member), to unpack what’s really happening behind the scenes. This conversation goes beyond motivation and dives into the realities: how culture shapes the arts, why monetisation is harder than people think, what funding can accidentally reward, and why policy decisions often come from people who don’t fully understand the value of art. Zeus also speaks candidly about industry structures like royalties and copyright administration, the difference between funding artists vs funding “administrators,” and the standards Botswana needs to meet if we want our work to compete internationally. Highlights: Why “creative culture” can quietly block growth long before money becomes the issue What’s missing in Botswana’s approach to supporting artists and building sustainable careers The uncomfortable side of funding, gatekeeping, and incentives in the creative ecosystem Why professionalism, skills, and production standards matter (especially if you want global platforms) How copyright, royalties, and industry structures can help or fail creatives If you’re an artist, creative entrepreneur, policymaker, brand, or just someone who wants Botswana’s talent to rise properly, this episode will challenge how you think about the industry. Chapters: 00:00:00 – Introduction 00:03:10 – Meet Zeus 00:07:21 – The Power of Stage Names and Hip-Hop Persona 00:14:28 – Career Highlights 00:18:24 – Who Is Zeus? 00:29:35 – Challenges Facing Botswana's Creative Sector 00:31:03 – Why Botswana Doesn't Understand Art's Value 00:38:43 – Structural Failures 00:42:01 – COSBOTS Board Experience 00:46:13 – Cultural Apartheid 00:56:43 – Policy Failures 01:00:06 – Artist Mismanagement and Mental Health in the Industry 01:10:01 – The Drug Culture Conversation 01:26:42 – Personal Journey 01:32:52 – Will Government Funding Work? 01:40:08 – Policy Solutions 01:51:32 – Advice for Young Creatives 02:01:59 – Book recommendation