adminTrust Khosa recently in MARONDERA
PENGAUDZOKE co-founder, Josphat Somanje, reckons ignorance of the changing musical trends is destroying many musicians.
The Marondera-based star believes most artists, from their generation, are losing out due to their failure to adapt to change.
He opened up on the sidelines of the recently-held Zimbabwe Music Rights (ZIMURA) stakeholders workshop in the Mashonaland East capital.
ZIMURA educated the artists on professionalism, monetising music as well as protecting their products.
The artists were also enlightened on copyrights and the need to safeguard their intellectual property.
ZIMURA deputy director, Henry Makombe, head of licensing Servious Matiza and Roselyn Chirume Banda presided over the sessions.
And one of the artists in attendance was Josphat and he was quite vocal.
“I have been enlightened here because I came here with the thought we were only going to deliberate on intellectual property issues.
“We have managed to learn a lot in as far as innovation is concerned.
“We have also learnt to monetise our own music without waiting for Zimura royalties.
“One of the benefits I didn’t know was that we can also get free medical and funeral covers once we die.
“It’s very unfortunate when most of the artists are given pauper burials yet they were the stars during their peak.
“This ignorance will certainly kill us if we are not careful,” he said.
He, however, challenged radio stations to digitalise their log sheets for the benefit of music.
“I don’t understand why the log sheets used at radio stations for our royalties are still being done manually.
“In this era of technology, we can do better and avoid cases where artists complain about irregularities.
“This is totally unacceptable in this new Zimbabwe which boasts of educated people,” he said.
Bongani Ndlovu
Mathew Masinge