adminPROPER regulation, sound management and cooperation of stakeholders are requirements for each and every sector to flourish.
Be it sport, mining, filming or farming, just but to mention a few, success stories are written once proper regulation and goodwill are in place.
However, these requirements have been lacking in the arts sector, especially music, which has a huge fan base.
Lack of structure has worsened the plight of musicians to the extent that the discipline had lost its value.
In most cases, the talented ones, especially those in rural areas, have either suffered stunted growth or been fleeced by crooks.
Those with poor management have either sunk into oblivion or into the music cemetery.
It’s sad we have had numerous cases of icons we adored getting pauper burials after years of entertaining masses at the top.
Some are either wallowing in poverty or suffering from depression as a result of poor management.
As media, we have always prayed for sanity to prevail in this sector, which has the potential to employ millions.
This week, Youth, Sports, Arts and Recreation Minister, Kirsty Coventry, walked the talk and raised our hopes.
She launched The Zimbabwe Music Strategy, which is set to go a long way in boosting the music sector.
The new baby, which seeks to create a vibrant, locally anchored and internationally connected music industry that sustains arts and other professionals, will also boost this sector once implemented.
The new initiative is also aimed at giving musicians their value so that they gain international recognition.
The Minister, along with other arts regulatory chiefs, have also shown us the Government’s wish and its position to ensure the music sector is industrialised and profitable.
No,w that the new policy has been launched, it calls for cooperation from musicians, promoters and fans, to ensure it yields results.
Lack of cooperation will only stall progress.
To achieve this goal, unity is now needed among the major drivers of this sector.
Days of hatred, back-stabbing and lack of innovation must come to an end if this initiative is to bring desired results.
As the new policy has been launched, the arts regulatory chiefs, like the National Arts Council of Zimbabwe, need to up the game and spread the message.
The less-educated but musically-gifted must be held to understand the new drive.
Over the years, we have also noted that musicians tend to have a lackadaisical approach, when such reforms are being implemented, and only cry foul when they miss precious opportunities.
The Zimbabwe Music Strategy calls for all musicians’ representatives to be active and ensure their constituencies benefit.
Failure to educate their membership will see the majority of musicians missing opportunities.
By realising their value, as espoused by the new initiative, our musicians will be richer and internationally-recognised.
Not only will they make an international breakthrough but they won’t’ fall prey to con artists masquerading as promoters.
All in all, The Zimbabwe Music Strategy is one of the most refreshing policies to emerge in this key sector.
Mathew Masinge
Online Reporter