Online Reporter
Trust Khosa
Zimpapers Arts and Entertainment Hub
Will the Zimbabwe Council of Copyrights win the confidence of its members?
Is the new Collective Management Organisation (CMO) the solution to composers’ long-standing grievances?
Are local composers being taken for a ride?
These and many other questions may begin to find answers from July 1, when ZICCO starts distributing royalties to its members.
Mandated to collect, manage and distribute royalties on behalf of copyright holders, ZICCO, chaired by Dr Tafadzwa Masembura, has confirmed that all preparations for the distribution exercise have been completed.
“The disbursement is being conducted in accordance with the ZICCO Constitution, which provides for the equitable distribution of royalties to eligible members,” said Masembura in a statement.
“The exercise also reflects the organisation’s commitment to transparency, accountability and an open-door policy in serving Zimbabwean artists and creators.
“All eligible members will begin receiving their royalties from July 1, 2026.
“Members residing in Harare and surrounding areas will receive SMS notifications advising them when to visit the ZICCO Head Office to collect their payments.
“For members based outside Harare, royalty payments will be processed and transferred through approved electronic payment platforms to ensure convenient and efficient access to their funds.”
He added:
“The forthcoming disbursement underscores ZICCO’s commitment to protecting the rights of creators and ensuring that artists receive fair compensation for the use of their creative works.
“ZICCO encourages all members to ensure that their contact details and payment information are up to date.
“The organisation remains dedicated to strengthening copyright protection, enhancing revenue collection and improving royalty distribution systems for the benefit of all rights holders in Zimbabwe.”
In a separate interview, Masembura said ZICCO would continue implementing empowerment projects aimed at improving the welfare of its members beyond royalty payments.
“We have a farm in Nyabira, which is part of our efforts to empower members so that they do not rely solely on royalties but also have alternative sources of income.
“Under that initiative, we have engaged some of the best minds available so that we can work together effectively as a team.
“There are benefits that are shared equally among members and others that are distributed differently, as we want all our members to benefit from the initiatives we are undertaking,” he said.
Masembura said the association has played a crucial role in assisting members with funeral and medical expenses while also supporting the families of deceased members.
“We 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.
“We have also assisted in covering funeral expenses for some of our members in Chegutu,” said 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.
“I will continue doing my 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.
However, all eyes will be on ZICCO when it begins distributing royalties on July 1.
The success of the exercise is likely to determine whether the organisation can earn the trust and confidence of composers who have long complained about inadequate royalty collections and distributions in Zimbabwe.
