SENATE ZOOMS IN ON ARTISTS’ BENEFITS

MBABANE – Princess Ncencenge has questioned the Ministry of Sports, Culture and Youth Affairs if there are any benefits of being an artist in the kingdom.

According to Ncengencenge, local artists do not appear to be leaving a decent life even if they are working hard. This was revealed in the Ministry of Sports, Culture and Youth Affairs portfolio Committee report dated August 27. “Can the ministry give clarity to Senate, as to whether there are any benefits of being an artist particularly musicians, as they do not appear to be leaving better or decent lives even the most hardworking ones in the country?,” asked Ncengencenge. The Minister of Sports, Culture and Youth Affairs, Bongani Nzima, responded in a written response saying they will continue to promote artists regardless of challenges faced in the industry.

Hindrance

“The Ministry appreciates the submissions from Senate and will continue to promote the industry of arts and culture even though funds are always the hindrance in most cases. Worth noting is that the consumption of music is not limited to CDs and mostly festivals; the ministry wishes to further expose for Swati artists to international festivals for better market opportunities and better life,” Nzima said. According to a survey which was recently done by Eswatini Copyright and Neighbouring Rights Society (ESWACOS), musicians should be making a living through their music but they cannot to do so due to improper registration, as over 70 per cent of their music is played publicly.Getting royalties for their music would help improve their lives. “More than 80 per cent of respondents reported that their music has been used or played publicly. This statistic underscores the urgent need for ESWACOS to expedite the licensing of music usage, collecting and distributing royalties to artists.

Royalties

Without proper licensing, music creators and rights holders risk losing out on potential royalties from public performances, which could significantly impact their livelihoods,” reads a statement from the survey.  The survey’s findings emphasise the necessity for all music creators and rights holders in Eswatini to participate.  By contributing their voices and experiences, they can help paint a more accurate picture of the music industry, which is essential for developing effective strategies to support and empower local artists. ESWACOS Executive Director, Mmeli Hlanze, reiterated the importance of this survey, stating the data collected will help them better understand the size and needs of music creators and rights-holders in the local music industry.

“This information is vital for designing membership registration strategies and capacity-building programmes that cater to the specific needs of artists, producers and music companies in Eswatini,” Hlanze said. During an interview with local musician Big Buy, he said he does benefit from being an artist, but mostly when booked in the neighbouring rainbow nation popularly known as South Africa.

Personal

“I benefit from shows in South Africa; even in Eswatini I do benefit but it’s not the same,” he said. Musician Notik who is set to perform during this year’s Eswatini Farmers Market, says he only focuses on his personal gain in the industry as compared to looking whether being an artist enables him to live a better life. “Personally it’s the love I have for the craft, it’s not always about the money but then it often pay the bills. As a musician I tend to earn more from shows which then contributes to the local economy. Making music allows me to express myself, share my personal stories, and connect with audiences who relate to some of my stories,” he said.

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