Local artistes deserve better pay - Katumbela

LEKOPANYE MOOKETSI
Correspondent | Friday January 15, 2010 00:00

Katumbela's call comes just after folklore singer Ndingo Johwa made a similar plea.  Johwa has recently expressed concern that local artistes are not accorded the recognition that they deserve. 

Echoing similar sentiments, Katumbela says that Batswana promoters need to change their attitudes towards local artistes.

He illustrates that when you give some companies a quote for a performance, they believe that Batswana artistes should not be paid that much.  He said people should consider the fact that local artistes depend on music for a living.

Katumbela manages local artistes such as Tuduetso Loeto, who is popularly known by his stage name Shanti Lo.  Katumbela also runs Street Horn Promotions stable.

The veteran promoter contends that local artistes are not paid what they are worth, which is why they are struggling.  But he also blames local artistes for quoting low rates so that they could be hired.  He said they should not compromise if they want to be respected.  

Katumbela has been in showbiz long enough to know what is happening in the industry.
He said local music is taking long to gain professional status because Batswana do not recognise the value of their artistes.

'They feel that local musicians must just perform free of charge,' he protested.
He said when people engage a local group, they want to determine the fees.  'They do not recognise the fees that are demanded by the band managers,' he said.

Katumbela said even if you could quote P20,000 for a show, people would just 'dismiss you as a nut case'.

He pointed out that when government departments host events, they never budget for entertainment.  It would just come as an afterthought.   He said they would only budget for other things like accommodation. 

They would then tell artistes that they did not have a budget for entertainment, thus offering to pay what amounts to a pittance.

He said they would then start negotiating with artists, which is something that Katumbela is discouraging. 

'At the end of the day, they will take an artiste who quoted the lowest.  It is not about quality but about being the cheapest,' said the promoter. He said it is high time that government departments started to include entertainment in their budgets.

Katumbela observes that artistes who use a live band, have a lot of members.  The fees for a live band should be higher than for an artiste who performs with a CD and a backing dancer.  'Their requirements are not the same.'

He said at times people query, 'why are you charging so much when band B charges so little?' He said when a band manager gives customers a quotation they would say 'oh it's too much, we will talk with the artistes'. To his amazement, this is only happening in Botswana.

'People want to negotiate but if it is a South African band demanding P100,000, they will pay without asking questions.  I am not saying we are demanding P100,000,' he said.  In any case, he said South African groups do not negotiate their fees.  'If they have quoted a specific amount it will remain like that.'

Katumbela speaks about private shows like when a group is going to perform at wedding ceremony.  The client would insist on paying less because the group would only perform a song or two. 'But there is really no difference because you still bring the entire band whether you are going to play at a wedding or festival.' 

He said promoters should deal with the artistes' managers and not the artistes themselves.  In his view, this type of arrangement will also encourage professionalism.

The promoters, he said, are sending a wrong message by under paying artistes.  By offering low fees, they are also killing the standard of music in Botswana.  'As promoters, let us show people that local artistes are worth more than they are getting,' he pleaded.
Katumbela has realised that local artistes are not accorded certain privileges when performing.  For instance you would find that there would be no dressing room where they could change their attire.  South African artistes demand before hand that there should be such facilities.

The veteran jazzman said at times, they have to beg the organisers to reserve a table for the artistes amongst members of the audience.  This happens where there are no facilities behind the stage.

Katumbela also calls on artistes to be professional in their approach to business.  He said they must improve in terms of time keeping by attending their shows on schedule.

They should also stop drinking during performances.  Some of the local 'artistes take one too many' during their shows. 

Katumbela further advises that artistes should rehearse before shows.  This would in a way help tighten up their acts. 

Some artistes like Socca Moruakgomo have always expressed the concern that musicians are often not paid what they deserve.  As a result, Moruakgomo is reluctant to perform in each and every show.