Tanzania: Arusha acts to get new musicians’ union

According to Tanzania Daily News, the musicians’ interim chairperson Saidi Mussa submitted a proposed constitution for the Arusha Music Urban Network (AMUN) to the National Arts Council of Tanzania (BASATA) on Wednesday.

Mussa said BASATA had been working closely with artists in the Arusha region to create AMUN, which would champion their welfare.

“BASATA advised us to form a much larger artist’s network, which focuses on music and performing arts so that we may include diverse members," he said. "We are now waiting for the feedback from the National Arts Council, which is expected to hand us the certificate of registration.”

It is estimated that the Arusha region has about 100 artists who would greatly benefit from the new association.

Luanda Magere, leader of the Arusha-based Warriors from the East band, told Music In Africa that pushing for a new union was an important step towards the creation of a fairer working environment that rewards creativity.

“We are grateful to BASATA for standing with us,” he said. “The reason for a union is so that we can fight for our performer's rights in unison. We will elect a strong leader who will submit our complaints to BASATA and COSOTA [Copyright Society of Tanzania] as opposed to individual reports.”

Magere said that significant strides would be achieved upon the issuance of a certificate by BASATA, including fostering unity and togetherness among the artists in the region.

When asked to talk about the main challenges facing artists in Arusha, Magere said venues were in the business of underpaying musicians.

"The proposed union attracted the attention of many artists because we all need better rates from venues. The hotel owners pay us a standard rate, which is very low and music promoters either postpone payment or don’t pay musicians after a performance," he said.