BOMU speaks out against Yarona FM awards
Sharon Mathala | Wednesday August 13, 2014 12:13
However, this year there are two major awards billed for November and December, in the form of the Botswana Music Union (BOMU) Awards and Yarona FM Music Awards (YAMA).
Youth broadcaster Yarona FM recently announced that they will host what is anticipated to be an annual music awards event.
The station manager David Moepeng said the awards are part of the radio station’s efforts to play a meaningful role in the development and growth of a vibrant and commercially viable music industry.
“Botswana’s music industry has made tremendous strides since 1999, when we first went on air. We gave promising artists such as Vee, Scar, Zeus and others, a chance to be heard. Most of them have now built successful careers. It is these achievements that we want to celebrate through the awards,” he explained.
A press statement from the station states that Yarona FM’s contribution to the growth of the music industry has come in many ways including live talent shows such as Sprite Rap Activity Jam, Scramble for Africa, play listing unreleased music and sponsoring artists to release albums. The YAMAs will base its nominations and selection process on the station’s playlist and chart show.
Meanwhile, BOMU is unimpressed with the station’s revelations. They said they believe Yarona FM’s timing is wrong and that they see it as a “disturbing move.” In an interview with Showbiz, BOMU president Bafana Phempheretlhe Pheto said the YAMAs have caused confusion.
“I have received calls from our stakeholders asking if Yarona FM has taken over the BOMU awards. This has caused a lot of confusion.
We are observing the situation and taking note,” he said. Pheto further took a swipe at the radio station’s initiative saying “They did not bother to at least consult us as the mother body, go lebega go na le maikaelelo...”
Moepeng however said the YAMAs are not meant to compete with the BOMU awards. He said contrary to Pheto’s allegations of sabotage, there is no malice behind their awards.
He said the awards are the station’s continued support for the local entertainment industry. “We will support BOMU as we have done over the years. BOMU awards are national, and the YAMAs will only cater for a music genre segment that Yarona FM caters for, which includes House and Hip Hop amongst others,” he said.
The YAMAs will be held on November 22 at the Gaborone International Convection Centre (GICC) as part of the station’s 15th Anniversary celebrations. Less than a month later, BOMU will host its 6th annual awards at the same venue.