Music like any business must be recognised - BOMU
Sharon Mathala | Monday August 25, 2014 15:55
At its annual general assembly at President Hotel on Friday, BOMU secretary general, Pagson Ntsie, said although funding still remains one of the major problems, it is the trading hours regulation that concerns them the most.
“Our festivals are shut down at midnight, whilst they only began around 10:00 pm. Musicians in this country do not make money turning them into failures and beggars,” he said.
Ntsie explained that this makes local artists vulnerable, forcing them to be highly dependent on government for handouts. He, however, said the union is still awaiting response from the Minister of Trade and Industry, Dorcus Makgatho-Malesu, on the issue.
“We long wrote to the minister and had a meeting with her with regards to this challenge. It is almost a year since waiting for her response even though we suggested and requested provisional licenses while we wait for the final verdict,” he said.
Ntsie said that the union is working on establishing a Music Act, which will help regulate the music industry. He mentioned that the act would lobby for the abolishment of some bylaws such as the Noise and Nuisance law of 1972, which does not favour the development of the local music industry.
“The liquor act has also contributed negatively to the music industry as the law enforcers confuse our business (music business) with liquor. The minister has suggested that we de-associate ourselves from liquor, but this can only be possible if there were adequate venues to stage shows,” he said, adding that Parliament has since assigned the union to come up with a position paper detailing what should be included in the bill.
Despite the challenges, the union was able to host BOMU awards last year in December. This year, the awards will be held in December 13, at Gaborone International Convention Centre (GICC).
BOMU president, Bafana ‘Phempheretlhe’ Pheto said the union has managed to buy a seven-seater vehicle, adding that they would now be directing their energy into securing land for BOMU.
As is tradition, the union members had to elect the committee for the year 2014/15. Voters retained the old committee save for Ruth Moore, who was elected the new vice president administration.
Clement Jackson, Kagiso Ntime, DJ Fondo Fire and Stanley Stan attended the meeting amongst others.