Artists threaten to disrupt Independence celebrations
Sharon Mathala | Thursday May 19, 2016 18:00
They said that they would disrupt build-up celebrations leading up to September 30, 2016.
The artists and promoters, Botswana Musicians Union (BOMU) leadership as well patrons in the music industry congregated at the Gaborone West Community Hall.
In a heated debate, the artists amongst them Kwasa Kwasa heavyweight, Franco and veteran promoter, Tebogo ‘Brazee’ Motube of Braveheart Promotion were of the view that it is too late for talks with BOT50.
“We should just march there and have a peaceful demonstration. On Thursday we will be outside the Ministry of Youth, Sport and Culture (MYSC) offices, demanding answers,” said Franco.
One of the artists at the meeting said, “Maybe this will show them how serious we are. We have dropped countless proposals at their offices, but we have been left out, and the train is moving. Ba ja di tendera hela ba re tima”.
Another comment from the floor was, “This happened before in South Africa during the 2010 World Cup, when the artists there realised that they had been sidelined. They threatened to boycott all the events and have their own. They threatened that if the government there should have a show, they would stage another one right next to theirs”.
Although BOMU president, Mike Mmusi was of the view that neither a peaceful demonstration nor a petition were the way to go about the situation.
Meanwhile, artists are hellbent on marching to the youth ministry offices today.
If the meeting is anything to go by, today at 8 am, the artists will assemble outside the ministry.
They say they will send some of their representatives to the minister whilst they wait for answers outside the building.
Meanwhile on Tuesday morning, the BOT50 held a press briefing where they addressed some of the queries they received from artists.
In their defence, they said that they long advised artists to come together and write proposals to the ministry.
BOT50 says it has followed the existing government procurement processes to select all those that would provide service at the events.