09 Feb 2021

 Zenzele Hirschfield is the chairperson of Botswana Music Union (BOMU)’s newly appointed, women’s wing sub-committee. 

In an interview with BOPA, BOMU president, Phemelo ‘Fresh’ Lesokwane said the national executive committee appointed the women’s wing sub-committee, which was the first of its kind instead of having an election. 

He revealed that numerous BOMU female members, in good standing, were formally invited and those interested also responded in writing. 

Lesokwane said those who had shown interest in being part of the sub-committee were then tasked to choose a chairperson, hence Hirschfield’s assumption of the role. 

He said BOMU constitution allowed the executive committee to endorse different sub committees within the union; hence the women’s committee. 

Lesokwane said the women’s committee would play an active role in efforts to tackle escalating issues of Gender Based Violence (GBV) and other challenges within the music industry, adding that most female artistes, especially upcoming one, were victims of GBV. 

He said the sub-committee was also tasked to have deliberate and inclusive initiatives to benefit Female Artistes Living with Disability, adding that they need to have a representative in the sub-committee. 

Lesokwane further said the national executive committee also established public relations and policy research offices. 

He said PRO was designated to be the face of the union and would engage different stakeholders to benefit the union, while policy research officer would implement ways that would lead to the growth of the union and other related tasks. 

“The national executive committee felt the need for these offices so as to avoid having one person in the union doing all activities alone as that could cripple the union and its transparency,” he said. 

Lesokwane further urged BOMU members to fully utilise the sub-committee and the other two offices. 

He emphasised the need for artistes to have unions and other associations to advocate for their welfare and other matters of interest to their music profession. ends