Work with BASATA, Mwana FA tells Tanzanian musicians

This after a low turnout of artists at a meeting on 28 June. 

"This was an opportunity for artists to attend this session so that they could lay out their grievances and also suggest ways of how the sector can be improved to their benefit," Mwana FA told Bongo 5 after the meeting.

"As the artists' representative on the BASATA board, it important that they actively participate in such forums so that I can help initiate implementation or further discussions or negations with the board."

The rapper was appointed on the BASATA board in October 2018 and is expected to advocate for the rights of artists due to his experience in the music industry.

But Tanzanian film producer Nabii Mswahili says the low turnout was due to artists having lost confidence in BASATA.

"BASATA has its shortcomings just like any other organisation," he said. "However, many are tired because we have attended more than 2 000 sessions over the years but nothing productive comes out of them. All we do is talk and leave without any resolutions or points to action with deadlines. We attend these meetings just out of respect."

Nabii Mwahili also implored the Tanzanian government to invest more money in support the arts sector. "Art has always been an afterthought for the government but other sectors like sports are given priority. The only time the government shows interest in the sector is when they are introducing new taxes or new laws that eventually interfere with the artists' daily income or operations."

The June meeting was attended by various stakeholders including BASATA board chairperson Habbi Gunze and the body's executive secretary, Godfrey Mngereza.

Mngereza said that the council was looking forward to working with various stakeholders to ensure that the arts industry was conducive to artists to operate in it.

He also urged musicians to be morals ambassadors, especially by upholding social values in songs, wearing decent clothes, singing in Swahili, abstaining from illegal substances and publishing work that has been approved by the council.