ZIMBABWE Music Rights Association director, Polisile Ncube, yesterday said there were procedures that had to be followed before local musicians whose music had been played on regional channel, TRACE Africa, could access their royalties.
BY WINSTONE ANTONIO
Ncube said her association could only license music that was broadcast in the country, so they were working with the Southern African Music Rights Organisation (Samro) to ensure that local musicians accessed their royalties.
“There are procedures to be followed for royalties’ transmission to happen and our documentation and distribution department is in touch with Samro for the computations and royalties’ dues,” she said.
“Copyright is territorial, so we can only directly license what is broadcast in Zimbabwe, otherwise we rely on our sister organisations outside our territory.”
Her sentiments followed complaints raised by local musicians, whose music videos have been played on TRACE Africa music channel on DStv’s Channel 326.
TRACE Africa was introduced seven months ago to serve as the premiere destination for African music, showcasing the continent’s talent with a particular focus on southern African artistes was launched about seven months ago.
Some local musicians, however, raised the red flag after realising that no payments were being credited to their accounts.
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TRACE senior vice-president, Leo Manne, urged the musicians to make their enquiries with Zimura.
“Regarding music royalties, it is important that each musician check with the Zimbabwean collecting society because they have a reciprocal collecting arrangement with the Southern African Music Rights Organisation who collect royalties from us, as a South African-based and registered business,” he said.
He said TRACE, through TRACE Africa, is committed to promoting and creating an environment for previously neglected Southern African territories and musicians to create viable businesses around their art.
“TRACE Africa has created a platform that has not existed before, whose purpose is to create sales and touring markets for these artistes within the region and across the rest of the continent,” Manne said.
Music videos by local artistes including Jah Prayzah, Queen Vee, Trevor Dongo and Exq have been played on the station, putting local talent on the global map.
