Murmures

A new musicians' association, called the Zimbabwe Musicians Union (ZIMU), has been formed in Harare and plans to bring musicians across the country together around common objectives such as fighting piracy.

The seeds for the union were planted at a meeting of musicians held on July 14, 2014 at the Book Café in the capital.

The union’s interim committe will be chaired by bass guitarist and singer, Edith ‘WeUtonga’ Katiji.

Lloyd Chidikano is the vice chairperson, while Rute Mbangwa has been appointed secretary and new Book Café director, Thomas Brickhill, will assume the position of treasurer.

Other members of the committee are Pablo Master Nakapa (coordinator),  Dzikamayi Machingura (legal advisor), Brian Nhanhanga (committee member), Terrence Mapurisana (advisor), Hector Mugani (committee member) and Daniel Ngwira (spokesman).

Speaking to Zimbo Jam yesterday, Katiji said “We have set up ZIMU to be an interactive, consultative and participatory body that will bring back the structure of an industry to music.”

According to a statement released by the interim committee, the union is set up to be, “non-political, non-profitable, non-denominational and non-racial to promote and defend the good of all its members.”

We asked Katiji what the first things the union planned to address were. She responded that they planned to bring the huge number of pracitioners in the industry together. “ZIMU blends the desire to bring back structure to the industry as well as look into inter-musician relations.”

When asked how they would ensure the continuity of the group given the many similar initiatives in the past that had come to nought, she said that ZIMU had, for a start registered with the National Arts Council (NACZ), “We have registered with the National Arts Council which ensures that we have regulated our existence and operations unlike the previous body. Basically that forms our initial strategy, which is getting the confidence and buy in of, first all the musicians and then making sure we are regulated so that we can have the critical mass as a body that engages policy makers and the legislature with meaningful intent and a strong face.”

She said that they also were keen to quickly form synergies with other players in the industry. “If musicians are organised then everyone dealing with us at each level has a reference point for engagement.”

One of the issues that the union wants to look into is piracy. “The Zimbabwe Music Rights Association (ZIMURA), as a collecting society, has tried to engage the police and conduct raids in the streets. Commendable as this may be, it really is driven by emotion and not supported by effective legislature. US is a laughable amount in terms of the fine paid when one prosecuted for pirating music. It is an insult to invaluable intellectual property.”

A meeting to update musicians on progress made on union registration and business will be held at 1000hrs on November 11, 2014 at the Book Café.