More love trails Barnabas in death

Trust Khosa, Zimpapers Arts and Entertainment Hub

THE Zimbabwe Council of Copyrights (ZICCO) at the weekend handed over US$500 and groceries to late Orchestra Mberikwazvo backing vocalist, drummer, and choreographer Barnabas Mandipota’s widow.

Although ZICCO chief executive officer Tafadzwa Masembera had initially wanted to keep the donation secret, photos of his team making the handover leaked.

“Barnabas was our member who actively participated in our activities as a composer and songwriter,” Masembera revealed. By the way, Barnabas was a complete musician who has done a couple of albums with Nakiso Express, but it is quite unfortunate that many people knew him mainly as a dancer in Alick Macheso’s Orchestra Mberikwazvo. He has recorded with several musicians as a session musician, but most people only learned about that after his death, which is quite unfortunate.

“He deserved to be given his flowers while he was still alive. As our member, we decided to honour his family with this small token that we mobilised as ZICCO.”Masembera, whose collective management organisation (CMO) has been empowering its members through various projects—including farming in Nyabira—saluted Barnabas, “Barna,” for the role he played and for investing in his family.

“Royalties may not be enough for the upkeep of artists, and that is why we are doing other projects to help our members. We treat our members equally, and this has helped us ensure that we improve their upkeep.

“We are still a new baby in the industry, but we are itching to change the narrative and assist our members.

“A lot has been happening on the local showbiz landscape, and we are glad that as ZICCO we have been embraced by many. We are definitely going to change the narrative,” he boldly declared. ZICCO, which emerged at a time when the other CMO, the Zimbabwe Music Rights Association (Zimura), is in turmoil, said it would focus on its business.

“As ZICCO, we are not concerned about what happens next door, but we are determined to look after our members with the little that we are receiving as royalties.In the case of Barna, it was not grandstanding but simply supporting our member who has been loyal to us over the years.We are determined to ensure that our members are fully empowered, and this has always been our desire — ensuring that they are well equipped.

“We also urge band leaders to empower their members, as is the case with Alick Macheso, who is concerned about the upkeep of his members.

“We saw it in Barna, who was well looked after, and we also chipped in to assist. The rest was done by Orchestra Mberikwazvo’s management, which did a lot when he needed them the most.We always urge our members to make wise decisions and join our associations, because there are many benefits.”

“Most artists think of us when they are in need, yet they do not want to join us and move with others.”

He added: “As ZICCO, we are still on a membership drive, and our quest is to ensure that both seasoned and upcoming musicians benefit from our initiatives.We want it to be a musicians-driven CMO where they have a say, and we will always thrive for transparency to ensure that composers’ needs are met. We do not want to be remembered as crooks, but game-changers in royalties collection and distribution, where members are rewarded accordingly.”