16 Mar 2025

 Local company Events Lab, a subsidiary of the Total Music Group has a contract for the broadcast rights of award ceremonies and a local music programme with the Department of Broadcasting Services (DBS) and had received approximately P17.7 million of the P29.3 million  three-year tender value.
Minister for State President Mr Moeti Mohwasa said in Parliament on  Friday, responding a question in Parliament by Chobe Member of Parliament (MP), Mr Simasiku Mapulanga.
While unaware of a direct contract awarded to Total Music Group, Mr Mohwasa nonetheless said DBS had contracted Events Lab (Pty) Ltd, a subsidiary of Total Music Group, for the broadcast rights of the Annual Botswana Music Union Awards (BOMU), the Gospel Awards and a local music programme.
He said Events Lab received approximately P17.7 million over the three year contract period which commenced on September 1, 2023. “Because the contract dictates that the payments should be done monthly, there have been delays in delivery for three months and payments were stopped. Therefore, we have since taken a decision that from now on we will only pay on delivery,” Mr Mohwasa said.
The minister said he was not aware of BOMU conflict of issues alluded to by the MP in his question. Yet, DBS had received notification from the president of BOMU requesting suspension of payments to the contractor, while issues of accountability were still being resolved. He said a direct appointment tender was to Events Lab at the maximum value of approximately P29.3 for three years.
“The contract amount is for the delivery of two programmes (Gospel and BOMU awards) and 13 episodes leading to the awards grand finale and two post awards episodes. This includes the production of 52 local music episodes being traditional, contemporary and the up-coming artists,” Mr Mohwasa said.
He clarified that broadcast rights for events could only be sourced from the rights owners through a direct appointment as it was an intellectual property, and Events Lab (Pty) Ltd were given exclusive rights by BOMU to negotiate and enter into agreement with DBS in relation to broadcast rights.
“Similarly, NMT Productions (Pty) Ltd was awarded the tender for provision of 13 episodes building towards and including the Grand Finale of The Glitz awards using direct appointment procurement method. All companies that respond to tenders are required to be tax compliant by submitting valid BURS tax clearance certificate,” Mr Mohwasa said.
MP Mapulanga had asked the minister if he was aware of the contracts awarded by DBS to Total Music Group; how much Total Music Group has received from DBS; and if he was also aware of BOMU conflict over financial transparency and artists’ concerns over lack of gains as the contract only benefited the owner than the industry.
He further probed how a P10 million direct appointment tender to Total Music Group/Events Lab (Pty) Ltd was issued, and if minister was aware of the 13 episodes direct appointment to the Glitz Awards at the expense of other BTV Productions. In addition, if the Minister will con-sider investigating and auditing the suspected companies, including their compliance to Botswana Unified Revenue Services (BURS) clearance. ENDS