Botswana Entertainment Promoters Association (BEPA) has accused Gaborone City Council of illegally issuing out club licenses to some prime restaurants, a practice that adversely impacts on the night life economy.
“A message to all those restaurants, we are coming for you!” said BEPA President Gilbert PP Seagile.
This was said at a media and stakeholders forum this week at Molapo Piazza which was aimed at discussing burning issues in the entertainment industry.
Issues tabled included the nightlife economy, bouncers, fake tickets, unfair trading of prime restaurants and to propose entertainment and safety act.
In his address, Seagile said: “We have invited GCC today to inform them that we are aggrieved because clubs are being given licenses without compliance of set requirements.”
“Additionally, prime restaurants which are owned by the rich, are being given licenses to trade as clubs, something which we openly detest as BEPA because it disturbs the night life value chain.”
Seagile also informed that BEPA has given local bouncers and security companies 90 days to register an association.
” BEPA will not be affiliating or requiring the services of any security services company which is not registered under this association” He stressed.
This instruction apparently seeks to bring an end to issues of misconduct by bouncers which have brought about safety concerns for patrons and events generally.
Affiliates of the bouncers association have however deemed the meeting pointless, saying that issues agreed upon are never tended to by BEPA.
“Every year, BEPA calls us to sing this same song but nothing ever changes!”
“What is even more unfortunate is that, after all these years, it is these same Promoters who undermine the work we do.”
