By Lerato Ndlovu
Artists around the country have applauded the move by Deputy Minister of Youth Sports Arts and Recreation of meeting some Artists in order to share their grievances.
However some showed discontentment on the selection criteria that was used to invite the artistes while some had their opinions to share.
Musicians who spoke to Bustop TV on condition of anonymity stated that they never saw an invite for artistes to meet up with the Deputy Minister Tino Machakaire.
“It’s a good thing that our colleagues went to represent us at such a meeting and shared our grievances. However we do not know what was said and also the criteria that was used to select the artistes to attend the meeting, we never saw a post or invitation for artistes to meet up with the Minister.
“Next time it would be wise to invite artists without fame too, in order to share the challenges they are facing in order to rise and be known country wide as the others. Covid 19 affected us all and solutions to this pandemic should come from us all.”
Those who applauded the meeting, appealed that the Minister should see to it that every Police station should have a helping desk for musicians for they are suffering from music theft.
“There is need to improve policing methods, with the police for they are reluctant to bring to book culprits who are selling music without consent and thereby depriving us from our due revenue.
“Therefore we appeal to the Minister to see to it that every police station has a desk that stands to help us fight against those stealing music especially in the studios. They are fueling music theft in the ghettos by issuing the music out without consent and at times changing names of singers for their own benefit.”
The artists who attended the meeting included Alick Macheso, Mechanic Manyeruke, Suluman Chimbetu, Charles Charamba, Seh Calaz, Tendai Manatsa, Selmor Mutukudzi and 8 others.
