Zimura unites artists

Praise Masvosva

AN array of artists converged under one roof yesterday during the Zimbabwe Music Rights Association’s copyright awareness workshop held at Bindura Country Club.

The copyright board managed to mix and mingle with musicians where they were educating them about their rights.

ZIMURA executive director, Polisile Ncube-Chimhini, urged artists to take advantage of the technology to earn something for their benefit.

“Our duties include dealing with legal aspects of copyrights and awareness to our music creators.

“Artistes should take advantage of the digital era, platforms like Facebook, WhatsApp and YouTube among other social media platforms should be used to market, sell and distribute their products to a global audience,” she said.

Chimhini also told the artists they have no arresting powers but they need the support of the police.

“Some of the challenges we encounter include some creators infringing on other people’s rights out of ignorance and others doing it deliberately so we are visiting all the provinces educating artists.”

The Zimbabwe Republic Police representative also encouraged artists to come forward and report all the offenders.

“As you have heard for yourself about the rights, we urge you to come and report.

“We cannot do this together but we need a collective input so that we can do away with this.

“If you report the case we can then create the docket and then the offender will be prosecuted,” said the police representative.

Similar sentiments were echoed by Sheila Maribha from the National Prosecution Authority.

“If the case is reported to the police we then take it for prosecution.

“We last prosecuted such cases of rights in 2016 here in Bindura so it means you are not reporting these cases.

“We are waiting for you and also put your hand in this so that your rights are not infringed.

“If you report we will enforce the law that has been set to be exercised,” she said.

The organisation which is a group of composers and publishers of music that was formed with the aim to protect the rights of musicians under the copyright law.

Unheralded, upcoming and seasoned artists also participated in the question and answer                                                             segments.

According to Chimhini, all the visits to all the provinces will benefit all the music across the country.