BOMU skeptical about Olopeng�s meeting with musicians
Spira Tlhankane | Tuesday March 8, 2016 11:42
The meeting will be held this morning at Limkokwing University.
In an interview with Showbiz, the president of BOMU, Michael Mmusi, said the association will attend the meeting despite having not received a formal invitation from the MYSC.
Mmusi said the MYSC has disregarded the association’s mandate with regard to this meeting.
“This sends a wrong message and it is like the association is not doing their job.
This kills associations because there has to be a proper forum where these issues can be addressed without a large number of people,” he said.
Mmusi added that Olopeng might not be able to address all the issues because of the number that is going to turn out for the meeting. “This is a sensitive issue and artists are not going to be satisfied,” he said. Mmusi said since they have not been invited properly, BOMU will attend but represented by individual artists.
Mmusi said the main issue they will put before the minister is operating hours. “It’s a big one for us because the current operating hours are a huge disadvantage to our craft,” he said.
He said BOMU wants the minister to intervene so that other artists can also have the same favourable conditions gospel music have in churches.
“There has been a high migration of artists and they are switching to churches because it gives them the platform to perform all night,” he said.
Mmusi said there has to be a distinction between the two and Olopeng has to make a proper evaluation of the issue.
Among other issues they want Olopeng to address is the 100% involvement of artists in the BOT50 celebrations.
“That one is already going well so far because district commissioners and chiefs have been engaged to involve local artists in every area,” he said.
He further said Olopeng must also address the issue of recreational facilities. “Community halls should be renovated and availed to artists,” he indicated.
Other associations expected to show up for the meeting are Botswana Folklore Association, The Association of Gospel Musicians and Botswana DJs Association.