Cash-strapped musicians piggyback on politics

Pini Bothoko | Thursday July 3, 2014 06:59

Musicians Showbiz interviewed were unanimous that Government’s enactment of the Liquor Act that minimises the hours of operation for entertainment spots, coupled with rampant piracy has dug a gaping hole in their pockets.

As Naledi Kaisara aka Slizer puts it, the Act has had a detrimental effect on their financial well-being such that nowadays they are unable to even pay their dancers and other back-up artists.

Slizer, however, says she foresees 2014 as a good year for them as musicians and hopes politicians will continue to hire them for their events so that they can make better earnings.

“We are really struggling.  Nowadays festivals are no longer profitable like before because the operating times and closure of entertainment areas have been reduced in turn affecting our business. 

“I think these political bookings will boost us as musicians and we are happy that they (politicians) have taken it upon themselves to book us for performances at their events,” she says.

She says that what excites her the most is that these days politicians are the ones who phone them for bookings, something that she believes shows that they recognise the work of local musicians.

Slizer says they charge them knowing that they will also benefit from performing at their rallies.  She says that they negotiate for prices because they know that not all candidates have enough money to pay them.

“We negotiate prices and look at the venue. This is also our contribution towards helping other people. I do not remember how many bookings I have had so far but there are many.

“I make sure to impress when I perform, hence my hope is that the politicians will keep coming for more.

“I have gone to places I have never hosted festivals before and my fans there were happy to see me performing live. This is advertising my work and I thank the politicians for that, as I believe these bookings are important for my career,” she says.

Regarding going into the hinterlands, kwasakwasa king, Jeff Matheatau set the usually small and sleepy village of Mabesekwa ablaze with his rhumba hits at the launch of a council candidate last Saturday.

Though Showbiz could not speak to him, Matheatau was in his element as he played songs from his past albums like Ko Moepong and Mmadipuo, which the crowd danced to with reckless abandon.

The political rally gave the people of Mabesekwa village a chance to see Matheatau in action for the first time.  Some were hearing his music for the first time, as a majority of the villagers do not own either a radio or television set like people in towns and cities.

Rhumba musician Tumelo Modise aka Tumza says he has realised that all political parties were supportive towards them because two or more of them could book the same artist.

He says that these bookings have made a difference because as it is the winter season, attendance at festivals is low.  He hopes he will be able to make a profit if they continue hiring him.

“I hope they will continue to recognise us even after the elections. This also gives us exposure. I have been to Lerala in the Tswapong where I have never been before and my fans were overwhelmed to seen me live. 

“Most of the people hear the message best in a song and it will benefit politicians, as they will have support,” he says.

Tumza says they give their all when performing at launches as the events are well organised with the best sound because political parties provide their own instruments unlike at the festivals where musicians do everything for themselves.

He says that they negotiate the price because they also benefit as musicians and usually the price range is from P3,000 upwards.

Another musician Franco Lesokwane says that even though he has benefited, it is not enough because bookings for him only started recently with looming elections in just four months.

“Yes I have been hired, but not as much as I would have liked. I hope I will make something even though it is not something that we can survive on. I am happy that they recognise our work and hope they will continue to involve us in their events even after the elections.

“I think there are possibilities of working with us in future,” he says. The Ke Lela Le Lona hitmaker says that he has not chosen any political party to entertain because as musicians their mandate is to entertain people in general and make sure that people get the message.

Thapelo Maleka better known as MC Maswe, who is also the District Chairperson of BOMU Chapter 3, says he hopes the bookings will boost his business, as music is what puts food on the table.  

He says that it is good that politicians are recognising them as musicians this year. He adds that he has been busy launching different political parties. He says he is happy that they have given him that opportunity.  

“It gives us exposure and we do not perform for a long time, unlike at festivals because they prefer to talk than listen to music.  This is good because we are able to perform at different rallies in a day,” he says.

Meanwhile, Mc Maswe pleads with politicians to consider giving artists in their constituencies a chance rather than booking those from other places as parents will be happy to see their children being given such support by political parties.

“This is not a matter of saying politicians do not need crowd pullers, because electorates at such venues are usually party members.  The politicians should empower musicians in their areas,” argues Mc Maswe.