Musicians from Matabeleland North have accused Parliament of sidelining them after being forced to travel to Bulawayo to air their concerns about the country’s music industry.
The grievances were raised on Tuesday during public hearings conducted by the Parliamentary Portfolio Committee on Media, Broadcasting and Information Communication Technologies.
The committee is inquiring into the operations of collective management organisations (CMOs), including the Zimbabwe Music Rights Association (Zimura) and the Zimbabwe Copyright and Neighbouring Rights Organisation (Zicco).
Artists from Hwange, Victoria Falls and Binga said the decision to hold hearings only in selected centres had denied them a convenient platform to participate in discussions directly affecting their livelihoods.
Hwange-based musician Wesley Maligo said he had travelled to Bulawayo because it was the nearest venue available for submissions.
“This particular platform is also side-lining us as Matabeleland North because I had to come all the way from that side for me to attend this hearing, as it is the nearest place that I could have come,” Maligo said.
He said artists from Hwange and Victoria Falls also struggle to secure performance opportunities, with national platforms often favouring musicians from other regions.
Maligo raised concerns over the quality of music produced in remote areas, saying many artists rely on makeshift bedroom studios because of a lack of proper facilities and resources.
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Binga musician Ernest Siachilamba said Tonga artists faced similar exclusion, with their music rarely receiving airplay on national radio or being featured at government events.
“Even if government galas are happening, most of the artists will be from other provinces and districts, and nothing from us,” Siachilamba said.
He called for greater inclusivity, urging that musicians be treated equally regardless of whether they are registered with Zimura, Zicco or neither organisation.
The hearings come as Parliament seeks to establish whether gaps exist in the administration and monitoring of CMOs, following persistent complaints from musicians over the management and distribution of royalties.
Portfolio committee chairperson Vincent Sihlabo said the committee had already engaged the two CMOs and was now gathering musicians’ perspectives.
He acknowledged concerns over transparency and possible structural weaknesses in royalty management.
“We acknowledge that there seems to be a misunderstanding or discontent with the musicians and their CMOs,” Sihlabo said.
He said the committee would consolidate submissions from various provinces before compiling a report for Parliament, which could result in recommendations for structural changes.
The committee is scheduled to proceed to Masvingo, Mutare and Chinhoyi, although Sihlabo said budgetary constraints had made it impossible to reach every area.
He acknowledged that musicians in regions not covered by the hearings might feel excluded, but said the committee’s aim was to gather as broad a view as possible within its limited resources.
