Online Reporter
Trust Khosa-Zimpapers Arts and Entertainment Hub
FOUR months ago, H-Metro revealed that gospel star, Sabastian Magacha, earned a paltry 33 cents a day, US$2,30 a week and US$10 a month from the rights to his music played on various platforms.
The platforms include digital spaces, which were monitored by the Zimbabwe Music Rights Association. This arrangement meant Magacha received a payment of just US$120 from ZIMURA last year.
Now, United Kingdom-based rapper Desmond “Stunner” Chideme has raised concerns about ZIMURA’s real value to musicians, highlighting that many artists continue to receive peanuts disguised as royalties.
His comments come as the ZIMURA board prepares to elect new members today.
Sixteen candidates are battling for positions on the board but Stunner is questioning the real value of the organisation to the musicians.
The list of musicians vying for these posts includes Gift Amuli, First Batani, Joseph Garakara, Alexio Gwenzi, Mudiwa Hood, Victor Kunonga, Hudson Simbarashe, Willis Kachambwa, Derreck Mpofu, Dingimuzi Phuti, Shingirirayi Tapomwa, Andrew Mupembe, Tagwirei Temba, Nathaniel Shumba, and Tinashe Nyamukapa.
In a candid post on his social media handles, the “Godo” hitmaker questioned whether the aspiring board members truly understand their responsibilities.
“With these elections that you want to hold for new board members, what exactly is their job?” asked Stunner.
“Takafirwa and no one came to aid. You see struggling artists and you stay quiet. Recently, that young boy Ngwere Diki performed and wasn’t paid, he is complaining on social media.
“If you are not seeing all this and that you expect artists to come running to you while they are grieving or going through the worst, mota nemari dzamunopanana ndedzei?”
He also called for the auditing of royalties being collected from various institutions, which should benefit composers who have been crying foul over the years.
“…17 radio stations, and after a year, an average artist is given US$50 to US$150. You collect money from supermarkets, shows, food courts, and other establishments, and a play constitutes about a minimum, let’s say, 75 cents.
“Artists are struggling to earn US$200 a year?
“Regerai vakomana, umwe anokuvara.”
His comments come at a time when ZIMURA has officially announced all the 16 candidates officially nominated for the 2025 board elections.
The candidates have been sharing their “manifestos” through video drops on social media.
However, showbiz watchers have been questioning the credibility of most candidates which they feel are not fit for public office.
Some of the candidates have courted controversy over the years, while others have no history in arts administration.
A tense election is expected today.
Questions about ZIMURA’s real value to the musicians emerged when Magacha was dragged before a maintenance court where he was ordered to pay US$200 a month in child support for his six-year-old child.
He said:
“I furnished the State that my monthly income is plus or minus US$500,” Magacha said in his opposing affidavit.
“I am not formally employed and I am a gospel artist. That is my source of income and I have no other source of income.
“I have attached a detailed statement from the Zimbabwe Music Rights Association, where they pay each artist a yearly once-off payment for the songs played on air.
“The net revenue from the ZIMURA was US$120 for 2024.”
That a star like Magacha can receive only US$120 from ZIMURA for a year’s work was a shock as it means that those who do not have a status like his probably did not get even a cent.
In February, ZIMURA announced that it had partnered with ACRCloud, a global music recognition technology provider, to enhance broadcast monitoring services.
The association said the collaboration was meant to improve the accuracy and efficiency of royalty distribution to local music stars.
ZIMURA said this partnership would automate the tracking of music played on radio stations and leverage ACRCloud’s technology to identify songs, track play counts, and monitor airplay durations in real-time.
