Big names snub independence theme song
Sharon Mathala | Tuesday June 14, 2016 18:00
Showbiz has been reliably informed that Odirile ‘Vee’ Sento, Tshepo Lesole and BK Proctor have declined the offer to be part of the independence celebrations theme song.
When contacted Botswana Musicians Union (BOMU) secretary general, Pagson Ntsie said: “Vee, Tshepo Lesole and BK Proctor are some of the names that have said that they will not be a part of us, but I do not want to focus on them. We are currently working with other artists and that should be the main focus. This is for our country; Botswana is our country”
For his part Vee said: “I can confirm that I will not be a part of the theme song. I told BOMU that I cannot be part of it for reasons best known to myself.”
Efforts to reach BK Proctor and Tshepo Lesole were futile at time of going to press.
When asked how the candidates featured in the song were to be picked, Ntsie revealed that they have a five men panel assigned to do the job. The five judges are Hebert Morolong, Kapenda Katuta, Harry Koata, DT, and Ashley Gops. Musicians who are be part of the theme song include Women of Jazz (Nnunu Ramogotsi, Punah Molale, Nono Siile), kwaito group MMP Family, the Lekhete hitmaker ATI, Ashley Gops, DT, Bouncy, and Amantle.
The Bot50 committee last month decided to award the theme song to the BOMU following complaints by local artists that they have been left out of the Bot50 celebrations.
They announced that P40,000 will be given to BOMU to spearhead the theme song. Ntsie said they have already come up with the skeleton of the song. He said the song is half-baked but promised that it will be ready in time for the celebrations. The secretary general explained that the song was open only to registered BOMU members who have been tipped to be just over 1,000.
“We were given the guidelines. We asked our members to come up with verses that fit the guidelines. We were asked to include the theme of the celebrations in the song, which is a united and proud nation. We were also asked to have the background of Botswana and that the song should appeal to both the young and old,” Ntsie explained.