BEPA gets P50,000 shot in arm from govt

LEKOPANYE MOOKETSI
Correspondent | Friday February 19, 2010 00:00

 

  Monageng told Arts & Culture that the Department of Culture has sponsored them for P50, 000 to cover running costs.  The promoter said they are hunting for offices to set up the secretariat for the association.  'We are going to use the money to buy office furniture,' he said.The BEPA official said as promoters, they have a long- standing relationship with the Department of Culture.

He said once the secretariat is operational, they would start their own fund raising activities.   One of the fund raising projects would be a festival. 

Monageng said although the association was only registered last year it has been in existence for sometime.  He said currently they do not have any registered members as they are only operating with an interim committee. 

The caretaker committee was tasked with drafting a constitution and to set up a secretariat.  Monageng said they have been able to draft the constitution and are only left with opening offices.

He said they want to set up everything before they start marketing the association.

The BEPA official said the interim committee has been active on the ground. 'We are going to call promoters so that they can start subscribing.'

The recruitment of members is just about to start.   Members of the association stand to benefit in so many ways. 

As Monageng puts it, there is no need to fear because the association is not only meant to monitor the activities of the promoters. The official said the association is also going to make the work of promoters easier.

'Any association without rules and regulations does not flourish,' he said. 

In his view, it is going to be easier for promoters to negotiate with the government as an association.  He said when they are united they would have a stronger voice.  'The government would be willing to listen to us if we approach them as an association,' he said.He said music has lately been getting some concrete support from the government. 

He cited that even President Ian Khama has demonstrated that he takes the music industry seriously.He said the Department of Arts & Culture in South Africa has been sponsoring music festivals in that country.  He feels that the same thing can be done locally. 

Monageng said the association is also going to stage cultural exchange programmes with neighbouring countries as its contribution to regional integration. 

He said it is their wish to see the promoters' association growing.  He disclosed that they would soon call a press conference to sensetise the media about the association.   

He said they are also going to call for a meeting to update potential members.  Monageng believes that it was crucial to come with the organisation.  He said in the past there had been a public outcry about fly-by-night promoters and those who ripped off artists.  He added that these are some of the issues that the association would be addressing.

He said they are also going to work with the Botswana Musicians Union (BOMU) because promoters and artists cannot afford to work in isolation as they compliment each other. 

'We would also link up with other associations especially those next door like in South Africa,' said Monageng who has promoted both local and South African artists. 

Another project that they are targeting is the 2010 World Cup, which will be hosted by South Africa from June 11 to July 11.  The BEPA spokes person said they would like to work with BOMU to see how local artists could benefit from the soccer extravaganza.  If it comes to a push, they would seek government support.