Mwana FA joins Tanzania's National Arts Council

23 Oct 2018 - 11:38

Published under the Creative Commons Licence

Tanzanian Minister for Information, Culture, Arts and Sports, Harrison Mwakyembe, has appointed bongo flava artist Mwana FA as a board member of the country's National Arts Council (BASATA).

Mwana FA is now part of Tanzania's National Arts Council board.

News of Mwana FA’s appointment was made public last week through a press release by Mwakyembe. The artist also shared the information on his official Facebook account.

Part of the Minister’s statement reads: “Following the election of Habbi Gunze as chairman of the National Council of Arts (BASATA), by President John Pombe Maghufuli, the Minister of Information, Culture, Arts and Sports, Harrison G. Mwakyembe, under Article 1 (1) (b) No. 23 B in the BASATA constitution of 1984, has appointed five board members.”

The other new board members include Saudin Yearje (law lecturer at the University of Dar es Salaam), Single Mtambalike (actor), Asha Mshana (assistant professor in the Department of Arts, Information and Design at Dodoma University) and Emmanuel Ishengoma (lecturer at Dodoma University).

Since December, the Ministry has been working closely with BASATA and the Tanzania Communications Regulatory Authority (TCRA) to regulate the Tanzanian creative sector. This did not sit well with many musicians, who thought the Arts Council was being led by individuals that held no experience in the creative sector.

Recently, musicians have blamed BASATA for introducing new regulations without holding consultative meetings with industry stakeholders. The Mwana FA appointment, therefore, comes as a relief to stakeholders within the creative sector stakeholders, and particulalrly musicians.

Bongo flava producer Jobiso congratulated the Minister for this latest development. He told Music In Africa that Mwana FA is in a better position to advocate for the rights of artists due to his vast experience in the music industry.

“This year, we have seen many songs and music videos being banned by BASATA for no valid reason,” he said.

“We are currently used to the issuing of such orders, but I am confident that Mwana FA’s presence on the board will be the voice of reason. We are sure that at least before new laws or regulations are introduced, the topics will have been thoroughly discussed.”