Tanzanian government to form special committee for musicians

Addressing artists at an open forum organised by Tanzania’s musicians association, Baraza la Sanaa la Taifa (BASATA), in Dar es Salaam on Friday, the Tanzanian Minister of Information, Culture and Sports, Harrison Mwakyembe, said the committee would create solutions to improve the welfare of musicians.

“We need to move to the next step, but first of all we need to form a special committee of seven members involving four artists,” he said. “The committee will come up with solutions which will improve policies dealing with issues relating to arts and artists.”

Mwakyembe’s message was welcomed by musicians who took the opportunity to voice their concerns. The bandleader of TMK Wanaume, Saidi Fella, appealed to the government to formalise the music industry by drafting policies and laws that would avoid copyright issues.

Hip hop artist Nikki Wa Pili of rap trio Weusi said: “We welcome the idea. However, we need guidance on how we can economically benefit from our music aside from royalty payments.”

Well known Tanzanian musician Carola Kinasha urged Mwakyembe to form trade unions that would allow artists to collectively bargain for fair payment.

Mwakyembe was at loggerheads with artists in May after he told musicians to stay clear of politics and focus on the arts. "Go to Nigeria, Wizkid or Tiwa Savage are not singing about politics,” he said. “Even in Uganda, Chameleone is not singing about politics. If you want commercial success, stick to music, leave politics to politicians.”

There has been a recent wave of music releases that criticise the Tanzanian government’s poor performance, one such song being Diamond Platnumz's ‘Acha Nikae Kimya’.