Trace Africa caught in royalties storm

ZIMURA director Polisile Ncube told NewsDay that she was working with the Southern African Music Rights Organisation (SAMRO) because her association could only license music that was aired in Zimbabwe. This, she said, would allow local musicians to access 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,” Ncube 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.”

Meanwhile, Trace senior vice-president Leo Manne encouraged artists to take their petitions to ZIMURA. “Regarding music royalties, it is important that each musician check with the Zimbabwean collecting society because they have a reciprocal collecting arrangement with SAMRO, who collect royalties from us, as a South African-based and registered business.”

Manne said Trace was committed to promoting and creating an environment for previously neglected Southern African territories and musicians to create viable businesses for their art.

In January this year, some Zimbabwean musicians began complaining about not receiving royalties from the TV channel. They said they had spent considerable amounts of money to make quality videos that could be played on Trace but do not get paid in return. Musicians whose music videos have appeared on Trace Africa include Jah Prayzah, Queen Vee, Trevor Dongo and Ex-Q.