ALBERT NYATHI GETS HUGE BACKING FROM MUSICIANS

Trust Khosa

MUSICIANS have backed Albert Nyathi’s Zimbabwe Music Rights Association board and have also called for transparency for their operations to yield results.

The call was made on Tuesday during the ZIMURA Annual General Meeting in Harare where scores of musicians graced the event.

Zimura was formed 40 years ago to collect musicians’ royalties as well as protect their copyrights.

Ahead of the AGM, there was discord after former board member, Phillip Chipfumbu, was fired for allegedly violating the ZIMURA constitution.

Chipfumbu and his ally Fred Nyakudanga accused the board members of abusing the association’s funds.

The duo even filed a police report.

Josphat Somanje hailed the board for clearing the air.

“For instance, Chipfumbu still circulates negative messages on social media about the operations of ZIMURA yet he has been fired.

“He uses the same logo as yours and he was advising people that this meeting will take place on the 22nd of July trying to mislead members.

“We, therefore, appeal to the leaders sitting in front of us to address the issue.”

He added:

“Some of us here are not educated and we don’t understand the legal jargon being used.

“Lawyers are as good as doctors and we would like them to use simple language that we understand.”

Contemporary gospel musician, Pastor G, urged ZIMURA members to allow the board to do their job without interference.

“If there are issues that we don’t understand, let’s allow the board to do their job.

“We are all here because we want our royalties, so we should allow them to do their job.”

Youthful musician, Agga Nyabinde, urged members to rally behind the board.

“We are the ones who selected this board to represent us and we need to allow them to do their job freely.

“The board members go through a lot in tracking our royalties and we should be proud of them as they are doing their best,” he said.

Albert Nyathi is the board chairman while First Farai, Janet Manyowa, Alexio Gwenzi, Honourable Dingimuzi Phuti and Mudiwa Hood are board members.

Witness Zhanga is in charge of legal affairs while Polisiwe-Ncube Chimhini is the executive director.