MUSUBO to be launched early next year

SHINGIRAI MADONDO
Correspondent | Wednesday October 24, 2012 00:00

A steering committee to launch the Musicians Union of Botswana (MUSUBO) was established sometime early this year and aims to meet their deadline for the official launch and attract as many members as possible. Registered on June 19, 2009, MUSUBO has been in operation for the past three years.

Boikhutso Robert, the MUSUBO spokesperson, said it has taken them three years to decide when to officially launch the musicians union because they have been busy engaged with logistics on the ground.  Robert said for the past three years, they have managed to set up an office with a fully functional secretariat, though still operating at a skeletal level.

'We have an office that is fully functional. The office has equipment like computers and other necessities needed for the growth of a musician. Our intention with setting up an office was to ensure that musicians have a place where they can meet and discuss issues affecting their industry,' said Robert.He said they also want to make themselves easily accessible to potential affiliates.

Robert said potential MUSUBO members are expected to use the office and get all the information about the union and eventually register.Currently MUSUBO has 110 musicians in their registration books and more musicians, especially the big names in the music industry, are expected to become a part of the country's second musicians' union.

Some of the better known musicians registered with MUSUBO include Acuz popularly known as Kuda Manyenyengwa and Astley Gops of Sebakanyana fame.  Robert said MUSUBO's intention is to work hand in hand with Botswana Musicians Unions (BOMU) to improve the welfare of artistes in the country such that they can be taken seriously by those in need of their services: 'We are not enemies with BOMU.

Our intention is to work closely with BOMU and improve the welfare on artistes. 'We all have musicians at heart.And we should be seen to be working together at all times,' he said.For his part, MUSUBO Secretary General Rauboy Mpuang said his union is making frantic efforts to ensure that they are affiliated with the Department of Arts and Culture.

'We have found our footing. And it is all system go towards ensuring that we fully represent the interests of musicians,' said Mpuang.According to Mpuang, MUSUBO will soon embark on a nationwide tour in a move aimed at raising awareness about the union in the country.