Parliament has been told that government last year spent half a million pula sponsoring Botswana Musicians Union (BOMU) music awards.
Answering a question from MP for Gaborone North Haskins Nkaigwa on Monday this week, the Minister of Youth Empowerment, Sport and Culture Development Thapelo Olopeng said government sponsored the awards as they are among programs that are in line with the mandate of the ministry.
The minister denied reports that BOMU sponsorship was less than what some individuals received from the ministry. “The Botswana Music Conference was not hosted by an individual but by a citizen-owned company called Lab Events Lab,” said the minister. Olopeng stated government sponsorship for the event was around P249 000 and the amount covered operational expenses such as venue, meals, advertisements, transport, accommodation for participants and facilitators.
Olopeng added that in 2017 the ministry also sponsored Botswana Youth Awards hosted by Re Mmogo Association. “The ministry supported the association with P450 000 for the 2017 youth awards in 2017.”
Government spent P500 000 in 2017 BOMU awards
