Botswana Musicians Union suspends committee members for questioning tender

According to local media, a number BOMU members labelled the union’s decision to appoint TMG, which is owned by veteran music promoter Seabelo Modibe, as personal and disappointing.

The union, through its president Phemelo Lesokwane, denied the allegations and maintained that the appointment was done through the proper channels.

“The constitution of BOMU empowers the executive committee to enter into agreements, appoint or un-appoint third parties, therefore there is nothing untoward with the appointment of Total Music Group,” he said. “In this particular instance, the BOMU executive committee has full minutes and a full executive committee resolution to appoint Total Music Group as awards consultants.

“However, our position is that the journalist and his sources have not given themselves time to read and understand the BOMU constitution. That’s why we are not surprised that the journalist and his sources are not aware of the powers conferred on the executive committee and the president by the constitution.”

Lesokwane was referencing an article titled ‘BOMU awards tender raises eyebrows’ published on Mmegi Online on 12 March.

He added: “BOMU would therefore like to take this opportunity to assure its members and the public that, contrary to false insinuations by individuals masquerading as BOMU members, BOMU is committed to uphold its constitution, the rule of law, and inclusive, good-governance obligations. The organisation will not be making any further comments on this matter.”

How it started

In a 10 March statement, which announced the appointment of TMG, BOMU secretary-general Winfred Rasina said the company would organise, market, coordinate and manage the union’s music awards.

“BOMU has resolved to partner with Total Music Group for a period of five years,” Rasina said. “Not only because that the team at Total Music Group has its creative industry commerce splendid in its intention and deliberate focus. But more importantly because due to its experience and having held incontestable positions within the creative industry space. BOMU notes that the Total Music Group team has delivered beyond measure both commercial and community projects in the creative industry, in a career spanning 21 years.”

Rasina said Modibe had a good track record and a wide network of contacts in Botswana, Africa and across the globe. “We are as BOMU over-thrilled that Seabelo Modibe leads a team of deliberate experts that hosts one of the biggest music conferences in Africa, called the Botswana International Music Conference. This is an international annual platform that brings together international and local speakers to deliberate on issues that are of a global phenomenon and on the creative space.”

Following BOMU’s statement, local media reported that some industry professionals had argued that the company was not experienced enough to run the awards platform.

Contacted for comment, Modibe said he would not provide his services for free as he had done for BOMU in the past. “It is not like BOMU will be paying me directly, no. My payment will be commission-based from the amount raised. Yes, my company is new but my track record speaks for itself,” he was quoted as saying.

BOMU suspends committee members

Following the tender, Lesokwane at the weekend suspended BOMU policy sub-committee member Mmapula Charity Moatswi and procurement committee member Trinity Mpho for allegedly criticising the union’s decision to appoint TMG.

“[The] BOMU executive committee, after consulting thoroughly on the comments you made last week in the BOMU Updates WhatsApp group, has come to a conclusion to suspend you and give you time to furnish it with evidence that [the] BOMU executive committee has corruptly awarded a tender to Total Music,” Lesokwane wrote in the suspension letters addressed to Moatswi and Mpho. “True to your words, on Friday BOMU appeared in the Mmegi newspaper verbatim on your words posted in the BOMU Updates WhatsApp group ... especially the accusation that Total Music Group was formed seven months ago for the sole purpose of winning the awards tender.”

Speaking to Music In Africa, Lesokwane confirmed that he had sent the suspension letters to Moatswi and Mpho. “Yes, I suspended them but I don’t know how this ended up in the press because the letters were meant for them,” he said. “The suspension is pending dismissal. They have 14 days to furnish us with evidence that there was indeed corruption. They will face disciplinary action if they don’t bring proof.”

Contacted for comment, Mpho said: “They suspended me because I feel the right procedure was not followed to give TMG a tender to run consultancy for the awards for five years and the company was registered five months ago. Our committee was not briefed about the exercise.”

Mpho said it is undisputed that Modibe is among the country’s key industry players and added that he didn’t “know anything about him running the awards.”