Zimura to hold AGM

LOCAL members of the Zimbabwe Music Rights Association (Zimura) will gather for the annual general meeting (AGM) at the Jesus Life International at the corner of 6th Avenue and Fife Street in Bulawayo on December 16.

LOCAL members of the Zimbabwe Music Rights Association (Zimura) will gather for the annual general meeting (AGM) at the Jesus Life International at the corner of 6th Avenue and Fife Street in Bulawayo on December 16.

ADMIRE KUDITA OWN CORRESPONDENT

“The AGM is for Zimura members only and not for musicians who are not Zimura members,” reads part of the letter sent to members and signed by Zimura executive director Polisile Ncube.

Zimura executive director Polisile Ncube
Zimura executive director Polisile Ncube

“Please do not bring band members as membership cards will be required at the entrance.”

The AGM is likely to tackle the much-desired airplay tracking equipment that costs close to $25 000. The technology is expected to help provide a panacea for the current scenario in which composers have decried the paltry cash disbursements in royalties garnered from airplay.

Airplay is collated from schedules and log sheets provided by radio stations. Artistes’ complaints hinge on the fact that given that songs generate considerable airplay, that does not always necessarily translate into royalties for composers.

A case in point is local keyboard maestro and singer/songwriter Velaphi Gumbo. His music gets played on many occasions and yet he has little to show for it.

“We are not happy with what we have received as far as royalties are concerned,” said an artiste who spoke on condition of anonymity.

 Khuxxman
Khuxxman

“It’s either radio programme makers, disc jockeys or librarians do not log our music in the log sheets they supply Zimura, or it is Zimura who are negligent and drop the ball. Hopefully, this machine will help our cause.”

Other local composers such as Khuxxman have been rather fortunate to receive considerable disbursements.

The AGM is expected to touch on securing a massive public address system from the Culture Fund Trust of Zimbabwe to benefit Zimura members when they stage live events.