19 Dec 2022

Musicians have been cautioned against  wayward behaviour that could destroy their careers.

Waywardness would never help them grown in their craft, gospel musician Bafana ‘Phempheretlhe’ Pheto said during DBS Roadshow finale at Molepolole over the weekend.“Promoters will never book you in their shows if you come late and drunk,” he said.

Phempheretlhe of Lekunutu le Morena fame said music should be taken as a career, adding he opted for the entertainment industry although he was a qualified auto electrician as he had realised that it offered unlimited opportunities.

He said following the success of his first album, using his proceeds, he built his first house and also joined his wife in the USA.

Through the royalties, he supported his wife to start her own practice as a dentist and also built their second house in Phakalane.

“Through music, you will be sure of getting paid whenever your music is played in the radio stations and further, this is a generational income,” he said as he urged musicians to register with the Copyright Society of Botswana (COSBOTS).

He appreciated the roadshow as it had unveiled hidden talents.

For his part, the Minister for State President  Kabo Morwaeng said government was fully behind the creative industry, adding that RB2 gave DJ Fresh a platform to show his talents and hence was able to relocate to South Africa where he attained the international stardom.

Minister Morwaeng also urged new musicians to register with COSBOTS and the Botswana Music Union (BOMU) in order to grow their careers further.

He further said Steve Harvey would return to the country next year to work with local producers and help them reach global audiences.

At the moment, the auditorium at Mass Media Complex is being refurbished for the programme.

The minister further said following the establishment of three tv channels, more content would be needed and therefore this was an opportunity for local producers.

Deputy Kgosi of Bakwena, Kgosi Michael Mhaladi said the government had always supported musicians through programmes such as Dipina le Maboko and National Arts Competitions.

He further asked parents to allow their talented children to join the music industry and not to call them with demeaning names such as mma skanta.

Kgosi Mhaladi further urged musicians to refrain from using explicit lyrics saying doing so would result with their music not enjoying airplay on Radio Botswana and therefore remain unknown. ENDS