Olopeng fights to increase entertainment hours
Spira Tlhankane | Wednesday March 9, 2016 18:00
Among the hottest issues at the first ever consultative meeting was the current operating time, which entertainers have been crying about for years. Olopeng announced that he is in talks with the Ministry of Trade and Industry (MTI) to refine the policy on trading hours. “We are working on the regulations to extend trading hours up to 2am for liquor stores and entertainment will follow,” he said.
Olopeng however was quick to indicate that they will revert to the current operating time if accidents and crime increase after the change. “We cannot mislead the nation; if we relax our laws we also have to be professional and play our part,” he said. Olopeng said entertainers should come up with messages and direct young people to behave in a good way at all times. “Our country is peaceful and if we hold this in a beautiful way, I will keep asking for more,” he said.
Olopeng’s fight for extension of entertainment hours started during the past festive season but some Batswana did not receive the “little Christmas present” as the police closed down their shows and nightclubs. Olopeng admitted that there was a challenge with his request during the festive season because of hiccups with the police.
He said the compromise never went well because it was not implemented properly in some areas. “I promise you, this will never happen again,” he said.
Among the issues discussed at the meeting was the engagement of foreign artists in local shows. “I will not fund any promoter who comes to us with 80% foreign acts and 20% locals. Who said they are crowd pullers? We have our own crowd pullers here,” he highlighted.
He said one or two foreign artists are allowed but more percentage should be dedicated to locals. He also said entertainers are the ones who can address the issue of rates. “Performance fees should be the same, believe in yourselves as local artists. Having rates can protect the industry,” he said.
Olopeng criticised the lack of professionalism displayed by music promoters. “I have a problem with the relationship between musicians and promoters. Artists come to us complaining about payments. At the end of the day we have to protect our artists until promoters become professionals,” he said. Olopeng said artists and promoters should come come up with an agreement to avoid issues of breaching contracts.
Olopeng’s remarks come at a time when one local rapper Sasa Klaas recently had a clash with promoters of Botswana 50th Pre Celebration bash over contractual issues. Olopeng also distanced shows like Togetherness from BOT50. “We have never funded any of those shows and BOT50 is not in anyhow aligned to the road shows,” he said.
Olopeng also announced that there is a P11m grant for artists but the problem was the fragmented artists. He said artists should not have too many associations but rather come up with an Arts Council. “An Arts Council is a crucial aspect to the development of the sector,” he said. Olopeng said since the council has not been established yet, the MYSC is working with different arts associations to establish the council.
Olopeng said they are currently working on establishing a recording studio at the Mass Media Complex and a second television channel, which will promote the arts. He said artists should come to MYSC with ideas to tackle the challenge of lack of purpose built structures.
He urged all stakeholders to work together towards the promotion and development of the creative industry. He said the consultative meeting will allow MYSC to take stock of the industry and map a way forward.