Botswana Musicians Union appoints women’s wing

The BOMU Women’s Wing will advocate for the well-being of female musicians in the country and report directly to the union’s secretary-general, Winfred Rasina. It will be led by music promoter Zenzele Hirschfeld who will serve as its chairperson. She will be deputised by singer Philadelphia Motladiile, while Afro-jazz artist Unami Selelo and musician Neo Lokomola will serve as secretary and vice-secretary, respectively. 

Singer and composer Bomolemo Ramogotsi was appointed as the treasurer of the wing while Magdeline Lesolebe will oversee logistics. Other members include Rati Saint and Ayanda Letsholo. BOMU national executive members Boitumelo Siile and Gloria Dwikiti will also sit on the new committee.

“The resolution was further emphasised by a need to attend to rising concerns of sexual abuse against female musicians who often find themselves within a male-dominated industry ... To survive they are subjected to sexual abuse and associated gender-based harassments,” Rasina said.

“Not only is the music industry struggling to survive the global COVID-19 pandemic, but it also needs to take an active role on issues of gender-based violence and deliberate empowerment programmess and projects.”

Rasina said the Women’s Wing would campaign for equal female representation at BOMU. “It is also its assigned duty to advocate and strive for equal accessibility and the right to services offered in the creative space. This sub-committee has also been assigned to take deliberate and inclusive initiatives geared towards female artists living with disabilities.”

Hirschfeld said: “Please allow me to extend my sincere gratitude for this great privilege to serve my nation in this capacity. It’s indeed an honour for women to continue taking over spaces that were dominated by our male counterparts in the past.”