BOT50 splashes P1million for Ghetto

BOT50 Francistown chairperson Keba Simon Bogatsu has given Francistown performing artists money exceeding P500 000 as payment for showcasing their talent during Saturday’s musical cultural festival at the Fracistown’s old stadium.

Bogatsu’s move follows the story in which South African Choreographer Somizi Mhlongo solely  pocketed the same amount in just two days, which caused an uproar at home with MC Maswe (Thapelo Maleka) and other local artists complaining bitterly over Mlongo’s hefty payment.When they thought all was lost, BOT50 sent out a message to all Francistown artists to hand over their profiles in order to be considered for performance at the cultural festival, but this time for money.

All artists, irrespective of one’s popularity, were given the run. Bogatsu informed The Midweek Sun on the side lines of the event that he had put his head on the block on behalf of Francistown artists. He said that his office saw it fit to give back to the artists who for a very long time have been supporting the government by performing free of charge at their various events.

“Since BOT50 preparations started in Botswana, local artists have never been engaged and paid and my office realised the need to empower them financially and engage them during this big day,  which has never happened elsewhere in the country. We have roughly spent money exceeding P500 000 on their payments and the same amount will be given to them during the big day so that they have something by which to remember BOT50,” he said.

He added that apart from musicians and the various artists engaged, BOT50 also catered food for the Francistown people who had thronged the old stadium to witness events of the historic day. Bogatsu revealed that the lowest amount given to performing artists was P1500 while others received P7500 depending on an artist’s experience. Although there were some irregularities concerning differences in payments, Bogatsu implored the artists to accept whatever payment they have received as most of them only performed one song for less than five minutes. 

“Even though some of the artists complained about differing payments, they should learn to be appreciative instead of blaming the government where it has tried its best, and from my knowledge a majority of these artists including the upcoming ones, have never been engaged and received such an amount and they should understand that what I have done in Francistown is putting my head on the block for them,” he said.

When contacted for a comment this time about the latest BOT50 gesture, MC Maswe said that it was a great achievement looking at the fact that for a very long time Francistown artists have been overlooked in favour of their Gaborone based counterparts. He said that following the successful show, all Ghetto artists have decided to come up with a choreographic piece to be used at the new stadium during the big day - for free - and will only be paid for their performances on the day. “As locals, we know that we are capable of exceeding expectations as we understand our culture and what Batswana at large expect from us, unlike foreigners who know very little about us,” Maswe said.