ZIMURA’ s tightrope walk: Continuity, crisis as Phuti, GC retain seats amidst proxy warfare
n ZIMURA’s tightrope walk: Continuity, crisis as Phuti, GC retain seats amidst proxy warfare n nn n By Our Arts Correspondent n nn n The Zimbabwe Music Rights Association (ZIMURA) has emerged from its Annual General Meeting (AGM) in Harare
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By Our Arts Correspondent
The Zimbabwe Music Rights Association (ZIMURA) has emerged from its Annual General Meeting (AGM) in Harare this week with a freshly calibrated board, but the process was less a smooth transition and more a high-stakes battle marked by political heavyweights, popular artists, and a dramatic withdrawal that laid bare the deep fissures within the organization.
The election results confirmed a blend of experienced figures and new voices, tasked with leading ZIMURA at a critical juncture defined by intense scrutiny over royalty distribution and governance integrity.
Three key figures successfully retained their positions, signaling members’ desire for continuity in leadership despite the mounting external pressures. Heading that list is Dingumuzi Phuti, who offers a unique dual capacity to the board. Phuti, a prominent Zimbabwean politician, currently serves as the Deputy Minister of Information Communication Technology and a sitting Member of Parliament. His retention is seen as a strategic move, providing the association with high-level political advocacy and a direct link to government policy-making.
Joining him in securing renewed mandates were the influential urban groover Alexio “GC” Gwenzi, and the perennial Sungura artist First Farai. Their successful retention underscores their strong grassroots appeal and commitment to the association’s affairs.
The new board is significantly bolstered by fresh perspectives from three celebrated artists, reflecting a focus on bringing established industry practitioners directly into governance.
Sungura star Gift Amuli, revered for his longevity in the sector, joins the leadership, alongside the prolific playwright and musician Joseph Garakara, and the contemporary artist Dereck Mpofu. These incoming members are expected to inject urgency and a frontline understanding of the daily challenges faced by composers and publishers regarding fair compensation and intellectual property protection.
The newly constituted board must immediately pivot to address the persistent issues that necessitated this election in the first place: namely, strengthening internal governance, improving the transparency of royalty payouts, and enhancing the general financial welfare of Zimbabwe’s music creators.
While the results signaled continuity, the AGM itself was marred by significant controversy, highlighting the deep mistrust among stakeholders regarding operational processes.
Tensions flared inside the venue, culminating in moments of chaos as members passionately disputed ZIMURA’s administrative systems. The situation reached a dramatic flashpoint when popular musician Mudiwa Hood (Mudiwa Mutandwa), a high-profile candidate, sensationally withdrew from the race.
Mudiwa cited the controversial and widespread use of proxies—a system wherein members assign their voting rights to representatives—as the primary reason for his exit. This proxy system, widely utilized by several candidates to secure blocks of votes, continues to ignite debate, with critics arguing it undermines the democratic process and allows for influence peddling that is detached from the genuine wishes of individual rights holders.
The dispute over proxies raises a crucial initial challenge for the new board: restoring confidence in the fairness and integrity of ZIMURA’s internal mechanisms before tackling external advocacy.
ZIMURA, as the key institution safeguarding the intellectual property and earnings of the nation’s creative sector, now faces an uphill task. The retention of politically savvy and veteran artists on the board provides the necessary gravitas to navigate complex legislative waters, while the addition of new members offers a chance for a genuinely fresh perspective on distribution strategy.
However, the internal unrest observed during the AGM underscores that the true test of this new leadership will be its ability to heal internal divisions, address the ethical concerns surrounding elections, and finally deliver sustainable, equitable compensation to Zimbabwe’s hardworking musicians and writers. The industry is watching closely, anticipating a governance overhaul that can finally transition ZIMURA from a site of persistent controversy to a trusted advocate for artistic welfare.
ZIMURA’s tightrope walk: Continuity, crisis as Phuti, GC retain seats amidst proxy warfare
