Farirai Machivenyika Senior Reporter
THE country should consider crafting a national music industry strategy that will ensure the growth of the sector and promote professionalism among artists, Zimbabwe Newspapers (1980) Private Limited chief executive officer Mr William Chikoto has said.
Mr Chikoto said this when he appeared before the Portfolio Committee on Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services yesterday, together with the company’s legal affairs manager and company secretary Mrs Daphne Tomana, general manager for the broadcasting division Mr Comfort Mbofana, and chief finance officer Mrs Prisca Makandwa.
“Our recommendation is the development of a national music industry strategy, and that strategy should bring together the Government, Parliament, musicians, broadcasters, the Zimbabwe Music Rights Association (Zimura), publishers, labels, promoters and other stakeholders.
“It should address the issue of royalties, the issue of corporate enforcement, music business education, investment and digital transformation.
“Most importantly, it must have clear responsibilities, timelines, measurable targets and accountability for implementation,” he said.
Mr Chikoto said there was need to strengthen sustainability and transparency across the entire value chain, and to support national music business education so that artists can build sustainable businesses.
He added that there was also need to ensure and protect the sustainability of broadcasters.
Zimpapers runs Star FM, its national radio station, Diamond FM in Mutare, Platinum FM in Chinhoyi and Capitalk in Harare.
Responding to questions from legislators, Mr Mbofana said the company had entered into an agreement with Zimura, which collects royalties on behalf of musicians.
“We pay 2,8 percent of total sales revenue per month for music played on Star FM and Diamond FM, and two percent for music played on the regional stations,” he said.
Mrs Makandwa said the company owed Zimura ZiG3 million and had entered into an arrangement under which it pays ZiG600 000, with ZiG250 000 going towards clearing the debt while ZiG350 000 is meant for current obligations.
Mrs Tomana said it was necessary for Government to create a fund to assist musicians.
“We propose that Government creates a fund to pay musicians. This will come on top of the royalties we pay,” she said.
She said while Zimpapers relied on advertising revenue to pay royalties, other stations had other revenue streams which enable them to pay their obligations in time.
