Dikgosi suggestions ‘draconian’- promoter
Goitsemodimo Kaelo | Sunday February 6, 2022 06:00
Last week, Kgosi Sibangani Mosojane of North East region asked the then acting Minister of Defence, Justice and Security Kgotla Autlwetse if it was possible to 'screen' foreign artists before they come to perform in the country. Although Autlwetse responded that 'screening' would not help much as it would not predict how the artist would behave while on stage, promoters have expressed disappointment at the suggestion by Dikgosi.
But Seagile has described the suggestion as unrealistic. He said the move would be discriminatory and draconian. “There is nothing new because female dancers have been performing half-naked for Dikgosi for a long time wearing makgabe. Then it means le Dikgosi (from South Africa) must be screened when they visit our Dikgosi in Botswana. The suggestion is unrealistic and discriminative,” said Seagile.
According to Seagile, BEPA there is nothing wrong with Zodwa’s antics and encourages local artists to continue booking her for their events.
“If there is demand for business, then they should go for it. There is nothing wrong that she is doing,” he added. This issue came after Kgosi Oleyo Ledimo from Maun region asked Autlwetse in Ntlo Ya Dikgosi to state whether he was aware that recently there has been a performing artist who performed on stage displaying her private parts.
Kgosi Ledimo’s comments emanated from the Botswana Police Service (BPS)’s issuance of a warrant of arrest for South African socialite Zodwa Wabantu who allegedly broke the law in the shows she performed this past festive season.
Ledimo therefore wanted to know if what Zodwa did does not contravene the Botswana social values which the Joint Advisory Committee of Ntlo ya Dikgosi and Botswana Council of Churches on Social Values seek to address.
He also wanted to know whether it is not a criminal offence against the Botswana Penal Code and what measures Autlwetse will put in place to curb the situation since it is eroding the country’s good moral fabric.
Zodwa has been charged with traffic in obscene publications. According to section 178 Subsection 1(e) of the Penal code of Botswana, traffic in obscene publications in this case means any person who publicly exhibits any indecent show or performance or any show or performance tending to corrupt morals.
The crime carries a maximum penalty of two years imprisonment or P200 if one is found guilty or both.