Deregistered artists union seeks Mokgethi audience
Goitsemodimo Kaelo | Friday July 24, 2020 18:14
Now, its fate is the hands of the Minister of Nationality, Immigration and Gender Affairs Annah Mokgethi who the musical outfit has approached requesting a waiver.
At the beginning of this year, MUSUBO was adamant that it will bounce back after 11 years of docility, to rival Botswana Musicians Union (BOMU). Led by interim president, Fumani Eddie Tekere, MUSUBO had gone on a massive recruitment drive.
However, the Registrar of Societies has rejected MUSUBO’s appeal against cancellation of its society on account that it has failed to comply with Societies Act.
In a letter passed to Arts & Culture authored by Ofentse Gojamang for Registrar of Societies, MUSUBO has failed to submit annual returns for the years 2010/2011 to 2018/2019 and has remained dormant for 10 years.
“Please be informed that the Registrar of Societies will continue with the process of de-registration as stipulated by the Societies Act,” Gojamang stated in the letter.
Tekere told Arts & Culture that the organisation has now approached the minister seeking a waiver to be allowed to normalise things and revive the society.
He said the society represents many artists in the northern parts of the country and as such their dreams would be shattered if it were de-registered.
He further acknowledged that they could not submit minutes and financial returns of the specified years, as the society was dormant.
He explained that they have been working to revive all their four regional chapters. He also said their mandate is not to rival BOMU, but to advocate for the welfare of artists in the northern part of Botswana.
MUSUBO was formed in 2009 as a protest against rampant maladministration at BOMU, which was also not seen to be catering for artists based in the northern.
Meanwhile, BOMU appears headed for a fresh start with the resuscitation of District Chapters. Watch this space.