02 Mar 2014

Botswana Musicians Union (BOMU) president, Phempheretlhe Pheto has cautioned musicians to take themselves serious if they want other people to do the same.

Speaking at the launch of BOMU District Chapter 3 in Francistown on February 28, Pheto noted that the BOMU leadership was sometimes called to deal with issues of misbehaving artistes, something he said tarnished the image of the music industry.

He pointed out that some artistes seem not to understand that bad behaviour is one of the main factors that impact negatively on them, hence it becomes difficult for them to sell themselves as brands to fans and potential sponsors.

Pheto, who is an award winning gospel muso, said it was often difficult to secure sponsors, particularly in the sense that potential sponsors made their own assessments and as such they wanted to be associated with people or brands with a clean record.

In addition, he highlighted that it had come to their attention that some musicians made music, which instead of entertaining people tended to anger them because of the vulgar language being used in the lyrics.

He advised the artistes to take their work seriously, noting that although their work was meant to entertain, it should be something people will eagerly await for rather than not wanting to be associated with any other product.

Furthermore, he urged the musicians to understand that arts can be used as a form of diversifying the economy, hence the need for their voices to be heard by the leadership. Pheto said the responsibility of gaining recognition lies with them by conducting themselves in a tolerable and respectable manner.

Sharing the sentiments was the union’s secretary general, Pagson Ntsie, who said that artistes should firstly understand that being a performer is a career and it needs to be protected for one to grow in the field.

Ntsie added that local artistes are faced with a number of challenges such as the factg that music tends to be associated with alcohol abuse and noise, hence classified under noise and nuisance in terms of councils’ bye-laws.

He noted that for them to have the government passing an act that will govern and protect them, they must earn reputation and recognition. Ntsie further stated that they are currently lobbying government to have laws relaxed to accommodate their work as performing artistes.

He cited that currently they are decrying the operating hours, which required that music festivals should start at around 9pm and close at midnight.

He further said in order for them to be granted the 6pm to 4am hours times, they need to host their festivals in a desirable manner. ENDS