Govt urged to get tough on piracy

“After years of working many of them have nothing to show.

“The musician has got a family to look after, band members need something in their pockets, transport to the shows is also needed but how can that be possible when such heartless elements of society pirate the music,” he said.

He expressed optimism that the recently established committee on piracy would swiftly implement the recommendations that came out during an All stakeholders meeting to fight piracy last month.
“I will not reveal the agreed strategy to eliminate piracy as it will disturb the operation but it is my hope that the committee will speed up its operations,” he said.

Various stakeholders that included Zimbabwe Republic Police, Education ministry, Zimbabwe Music Rights Association and the Zimbabwe Music Rights Association of Recording Industries attended the December 2011 meeting.

First Farai said: “I released the album on December 22 but when I went for Christmas shows in Mhangura two days later, I was surprised to see the CDs flooding the market.
“This is despite the fact that the distribution team had not yet reached the place and surprisingly, some of the fans were singing along with me the songs on the new album.”

He appealed to Government to urgently address the problem lest many artists would continue to wallow in poverty.
“How will we survive? It’s a serious scourge that needs collective efforts.

“We just hope that Minister Shamu would receive the necessary support from Government colleagues,” he said.