Change beckons at COSBOTS
Spira Tlhankane | Friday July 21, 2017 15:16
After the previous board was accused of corruption and maladministration, various teams have assembled candidates who will seek to turn things around at COSBOTS. Among the teams who are scheduled to contest is Team Real Change, which comprises of artists such as Tomeletso Sereetsi of Sereetsi and Natives, Game ‘Zeus’ Bantsi, Sydney ‘DJ Boogie Sid’ Nzala, Winani Sekani, Jimmy Moyambo and Batho Motlhake.
In an interview with Arts & Culture, one of Team Real Change members, Sereetsi said they represent a number of COSBOTS members and content creators who have taken the initiative to mobilise society to stand for real change. “We have assembled a team of energetic, accomplished and capable industry leaders who have a huge premium on such values as integrity, transparency, fairness, accountability and ethical corporate governance,” he said.
He said Team Real Change has four focal areas being good corporate governance, strategic wealth creation, artist’s welfare programme and members’ empowerment. Sereetsi further told Arts & Culture that their team intends to review the board sitting allowances in their first 100 days in office. He also said they will also institute a comprehensive organisational review and reform. “We don’t want to stay in COSBOTS forever, ours is an advisory role, we have to bring in new leaders and fresh ideas. We want to start a new culture,” he highlighted.
Another member of Team Real Change Shabba Kgotlaetsho said as a founding member who left COSBOTS in 2008, he finds it sad that the same people who at the beginning had systematically looted the organisation are still seemingly persistent to continue way beyond a decade of reducing all the creatives to abject poverty. Kgotlaetsho said some industry players do not have skills to manage the arts and their track records at unions such as Botswana Musicians Union (BOMU) say it all.
Besides Team Real Change who have publicly outlined their intentions to take COSBOTS forward in the next term, former COSBOTS chairperson Solo B Monyame wants to get back on the driving seat after stepping down a few months ago when his term had elapsed. Monyame who has been at helm of this organisation for various terms is one of the most unwanted candidates and disgruntled members want to ensure that he does not return to the board. Monyame’s team also includes Lecco of 999 who recently sent a huge document to the media defending the previous board and dismissing corruption allegations.
Veteran kwasa kwasa musician Alfredo Mosimanegape was among the main players who forced the previous board out of office after they overstayed their welcome but he will be contesting against Team Real Change and Solo B’s team. The former BOMU leader’s team is called Bagaka and includes Thabang Gabarogwe and veterans such as Mpho Nakedi and Phempheretlhe.
Other members are lobbying for the inclusion of Sidney Batsile also known as DJ SID in the new board. Some members believe that DJ SID’s experience and contribution is exactly what COSBOTS needs to represents the interests of their members.
BOMU has also jumped in to ensure that there is credibility when it comes to voting for the right candidates. BOMU secretary general Pagson Ntsie said that they hosted a public debate yesterday at G-West community centre. “As major stakeholders we have to advice our members because COSBOTS is a multi million pula company and the right people have to be put in place,” he said.
COSBOTS is mandated by the Copyright and Neighbouring Rights Act CAP 68:02 to among others licence and collect royalties from users of copyright/protected works to distribute to copyright owners.