Whilst some agree, some people, who are apolitical, refute this. However, artists, a significant section of a society, are always found dabbling in politics, either as supporters or as politicians, playing a leading role in politics. In the United States, at a time when discrimination was rampant, artists rose up and spoke against the injustices visited upon people of the Black race in that country. In South Africa, artists like Hugh Masekela, the late Miriam Makeba and a host of artists took up the mic and with their voices spoke against the apartheid regime in their country. Artists wield a lot of power. They are influential in the sense that they have their own following. People who love their music would follow them to their shows to be entertained. Likewise, the politician also has a following of people who would like to associate with him or her, giving them support, especially at the ballot box, where politicians need the vote to sustain their careers. So politics being a game of numbers, it is not unusual that a politician will resort to the use of artists to appeal to the masses. Here in Botswana politicians are also taking advantage of the artists, using them in their political rallies and other political activities. Towards the 2004 general elections, businessman and philanthropist-cum-politician, Robert Masitara, had an album recorded in his name. In the record, Masitara is glorified and portrayed as a messiah who has come to rid Batswana of their problems; both social and health related. A singer-cum-poet was roped along to heap the praise on the politician.
This is an example of a shrewd politician who goes out of his way to use art and artists to push his agenda. He made sure songs were packaged and distributed in the form of a CD to the public, thereby reaching out to the electorate through the music industry. He wanted to spread his popularity and saw in the music realm, a platform to bring more voters to his side. Though he is yet to assume political office, he had tried his effort to woo extra votes.
