THE scheduled Zimbabwe Music Rights Association (Zimura)’s 40th anniversary concert, which was set for September has been moved to next year.
Dubbed Zimura@40, the celebrations were to be held for three days in Harare and Bulawayo.
The association was expected to launch a book that chronicles its journey since its inception in 1982.
“It was postponed to 2024 to give us more time to prepare, will let you know of progress,” said Zimura executive director Polisile Ncube-Chimhini .
In March, Zimura spokesperson Alexio “Goodchild” Gwenzi said they were going to have a festival in two cities-Harare and Bulawayo.
Gwenzi added that there would be a book launch during the celebrations and also artistes, who would have excelled in royalties will be awarded.
The association is the brainchild of Gill Atkinson who in 1982 came up with the idea of protecting music copyright, starting with only 16 members in 1984 but now has more than 4 000 members.
“Back then using the acronym ZIMRA, the organisation was established in 1982 and registered with the Registrar of companies,” Ncube-Chimhini said.
“Zimura got licenced with the Justice and Constitutional Affairs ministry present day ministry of Justice, Legal and Parliamentary Affairs to operate as a collective administrative body in March 1982.
“It was later admitted as an associate member of CISAC which is an international body of Collective Management Organisations from across the world.
“CISAC protects the rights and promotes the interests of music creators worldwide.”
She said on May 31, 1984, 16 composers were admitted to full membership and to date Zimura has 4121 members.
The composers who were admitted to full membership were Thomas Mapfumo, Lovemore Majaivana, Mhungu Jacobus, Murambadoro, Ezekiel Messiah, Safirio Madzikatire, James Chimombe, Marshall Munhumumwe, Fanyana Dube, Brian Rusike, Mutombo Gaby, Zexie Manatsa, Tinei Chikupo, Ncube Julia, Mukwamba Patrick, Leonard Dembo and Ukama Stanley.