allAfrica.com: Botswana: The Return of Music Awards (Page 1 of 1)

Sunday night witnessed the return of awards to recognise the local musician's contribution to the industry. The revival of Botswana Music Union (BOMU) awards is long overdue and a welcome development, particularly that the last event was attempted three years ago with not-so-encouraging results.
This time around, it appears there were appropriate preparations.

Prior to the event there were sustained publicity in the media, some of it interactive permitting ordinary Batswana to cast votes for their favourite musicians. However, a disappointing aspect was absence of major corporate sponsors, save for Mascom.

The cellular phone company must be commended for promoting culture.

We call not only on the government but the private sector and individuals to give our musicians the necessary support. And this could be by way of appropriate reward when they perform at major local and international events.
Other countries like neighbouring South Africa, have long realised that culture is not only an export commodity capable of creating employment and bringing in much needed foreign exchange.

Artistes can be a country's effective marketing tools.
For instance, South African companies in Botswana - like hotels, breweries, pay television and others - often bring their own artistes here for performances.
And they reward them handsomely.

We implore our companies and government departments to make use of local musicians, who have proved very popular in their own right, and pay them appropriately.

Until such a time that the Botswana authorities wake up to the fact that culture can be a major commodity for export, we shall not get anywhere.
Take the United States for example.

Culture is one of its major exports to the world through its massive film industry, music industry and others.
We encourage local musicians to promote BOMU as a vehicle to reward and hone talents

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