Veteran musician Tanga wekwa Sando wants the Zimbabwe Music Rights Association (Zimura) to establish a comprehensive medical aid scheme for its members.
"In the absence of a clear medical aid scheme for me from Zimura, I don't want my music to be included in the Zimura US$150 performance basket cover fee,” he wrote in a letter to Zimura chairperson Albert Nyathi.
Two weeks ago, the organisation decreed that a cover licence fee of US$150 would be mandatory for all live bands performing cover songs. The move was criticised widely, particularly by artistes who felt the directive was unfair.
Sando criticised Zimura’s current medical aid provisions, calling them "insensitive" and "a mockery."
“Zimura, in association with a solid medical aid society or company, should establish a basic medical aid scheme for the generality of qualifying and contributing Zimura members. This medicare should be flexible enough to reflect what members can add on depending on their wishes and/or capabilities. The US$500 once-off cash given to a +75-year-old artiste, in the case of hospitalisation, is insensitive and both a mockery and an insult to me and I'm sure other artistes."
The musician’s concerns are multifaceted.
He is also unhappy about insufficient control over the use of his music by other bands saying there is a need for written permission for covers or performances of his songs and that the venues, events, functions where they play are notified.
Bands that cover his songs have been directed to negotiate with Sando's record label Zaggamusik or himself for arrangements to cover his content.
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"The permission to cover Tanga wekwa Sando songs will and shall only be granted upon agreement through an expressly written permit from Tanga wekwa Sando or his assignees," read the statement.
To address these concerns, Sando has instructed Zimura to notify specific bands, including Travellers Band, In Total, 911, Jababvu Drive and others, to cease playing his songs without permission.
Despite his frustration with Zimura, Sando expressed appreciation for the bands that covered his songs.
“I am honoured and very appreciative of those bands which have covered some of my hit songs at events such as roora and weddings, corporate functions, and festivals. After all, copying is the highest form of flattery,” he said.
Zimura is a collective management organisation responsible for managing music rights in Zimbabwe.
Its primary role is to collect royalties for members, including musicians, composers and music publishers. The organisation aims to protect the rights of music creators and ensure they receive fair compensation for their work.
