Online Reporter
Trust Khosa
VETERAN musician Josphat Somanje DOES NOT have a bank account.
He is just one of a number of musicians who are in such a scenario and this is forcing the Zimbabwe Council of Copyright (ZICCO) to pay them in cash.
Last week, ZICCO came under the spotlight for handing over royalties to its members in cash, which some analysts said was unprofessional.
“You will be surprised that some of the members do not have bank accounts, and we end up giving them cash,” ZICCO CEO Dr Tafadzwa Masembura told Zimpapers Arts and Entertainment Hub.
“There are even top musicians like Josphat Somanje who told us that he had no bank account and we are assisting him and many others to open bank accounts.
“We don’t encourage the issuing of cash because it has the potential to attract armed robbers.”
When Zimpapers Arts and Entertainment Hub visited the ZICCO offices, Somanje, Principal Chigwida, Noel Zembe and Tendai Chiraya had already received their royalties.
“The other reason why we are giving them cash royalties is for transparency’s sake, but in future we will simply do online payments only.
“As for those who have bank accounts, we have since deposited cash into their bank accounts.”
Dr Masembura said the association has played a crucial role in assisting members with funeral and medical expenses, while also supporting families of deceased members.
He also pledged to continue strengthening the organisation’s relationship with its membership countrywide.
“As a registered CMO, it may appear new in the eyes of many people but we have a number of major projects lined up and have been working quietly behind the scenes.
“As one of the CMOs in Zimbabwe, the health and welfare of our members remain our top priority, which is why we have been assisting those who are ill.
“One of the beneficiaries of our programmes was Thabiso Moyo, who was unwell.
“One of our members, Moses Mudenda from Binga, was involved in a hit-and-run accident in Harare and is currently receiving treatment at Parirenyatwa Hospital.
“One of our members, Empress Mishie (real name Thandiwe Madewu), has also benefited from our medical schemes.
“We have also assisted in covering funeral expenses for some of our members in Chegutu,” said Dr Masembura.
He added: “When Orchestra Mberikwazvo’s Barnabas Mandipota passed away, we stood with his family and provided assistance as a way of honouring his contribution.
“Barnabas was also one of us and we worked with him pretty well.
“He was a focused young man who has left a mark in showbiz, and we valued his career.
“On that note, we will continue doing our best to ensure that composers are empowered and benefit from the talents and skills they possess.”
Unlike some other CMOs, ZICCO has also extended assistance to creatives who are not members of the organisation as a gesture of solidarity and support for the broader creative industry.
