SOME artistes who are members of the Zimbabwe Music Rights Association (Zimra) have expressed disgruntlement over the delay in the payment of their 2008 royalties.
Royalties which are received annually on June 1 were postponed to a date to be announced, confirmed Mary Jaure, an administration assistant with Zimra.
She said the dollarisation system corrupted their system.However, some of its members have expressed disappointment over the services being offered by the organisation saying even before dollarisation, the association never gave satisfactory royalties to its members.
Most of the musicians said the organisation had not shown its seriousness in addressing the issues of royalties over the years.
Cephas Mashakada said he last received his royalties five years ago and the last time he got them they were not enough for the bus fare which he had used to go to the association’s offices.
While admitting the organisation had not been fair enough in their distribution, First Farai said he was surprised with the royalties of his song Dembare that he received in spite of the air play it got.
Hosiah Chipanga reiterated that the organisation had failed to fulfill its duties, saying its existence or absence made no difference.
Chipanga added that he last collected part of his share three years ago and has not benefited from the organisation.
Zimra has a membership of over 2 000.Said Jaure: "The delay has been due to the dollarisation system, which corrupted our revenue as most of our collections were done in Zimbabwe dollars and we are working to pay out in American dollars.
"Members of Zimra are therefore advised that the distribution of royalties which is normally conducted on 1st June every year has been postponed to a date to be announced," she said.
Jaura however re-assured the association’s members that Zimra was working flat out to rectify the problem and ensure that its members, largely musicians, receive their fair share of the cake.
She also appealed to musicians to bear with them emphasising that it was the first time that Zimra had failed to pay its members on time."It was beyond our control. Various stakeholders have also been affected by this problem and we hope our members will also understand us," she said.
Zimra is a non-profit making organisation that fights for the rights of musicians in the country.
Tags: Zimra
