Monkagedi Gaotlhobogwe
28 August 2008
Over a month since President Ian Khama launched the lucrative 'National Heritage' awards on President's Day, most artists have not yet received their pay cheques.
At the time of going to press yesterday evening only Mercy, Manto 7 and Stompie had received their awards, reliable sources point out. The majority of the award winners have not been paid.
The winner of double awards, Manto7 revealed early this week that he finally received the P50, 000 due to him on Monday.
"I understand the prizes are being paid out in batches, and that I am one of those in the first batch that received something this week," he said.
Moagi Lekone of Dikakapa cultural group, which should also receive a cash prize, expressed disappointment at the slow pace of payment.
"We do not know what is the hold up really.
We are still waiting for communication from the people who are supposed to pay us," the Dikakapa man says.
Pop star, Vee Sento, who is also still waiting for the money said "This matter is very big. I do not want to comment for now. I will say a lot on Friday".
A spokesperson in the Ministry of Youth, Sports and Culture, Keneilwe Segopolo, yesterday said that the payment for the various categories are processed by various institutions which were sponsoring the events.
She said she would check today with the sponsors what could be delaying the payments.
She said some sponsors committed themselves to paying for art exhibitions, while others committed themselves to paying for performances.
Secretary General of the Botswana Music Union (BOMU), Rasina Rasina described the failure to pay artistes on time as embarrassing.
"It is regrettable that up to now people have not received their dues. Expectations were that by now the beneficiaries would have long used the money to improve their lives".
Rasina went on: "No one has communicated anything to us. We assume there is no problem because nobody has said anything to us.
I am going to ask the Department of Culture this week why up to now the artists have not been paid," Rasina said.
There were arts festivals culminating on the July 17 weekend traditionally marked out as Presidents Day on the official calendar.
The festivals featured artists, poets, recording musicians, actors, painters and dancers competing in the various regions with a final event in Gaborone.
The President awarded the prizes at Boipuso Hall on the Sunday, presenting cheques that represented the amounts that the finalists won.
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