Mabedi speaks on his new role as Cosoma board chairperson
Newly appointed Copyright Society of Malawi (Cosoma) board chairperson Eric Mabedi says he is aware of the challenges the board has been facing.
In an interview yesterday, a day after being appointed, the seasoned dramatist said problems Cosoma has been encountering have been a catalyst to their lack of effectiveness in the discharge of their duties but he said with the help of his colleagues, they can turn the corner.
Said Mabedi: “I won’t pretend that I know everything and that I will be a solution to each and every problem that Cosoma has. Cosoma has been there before me. I will have to sit down with my colleagues on the board and those at Cosoma. Together, we will effect that change.”
Other members of the board are the Reverend Charles Mawaya, musicians Joseph Tembo, Charles Sinetre and Kendal Kamwendo and the Reverend Catherine Jailosi, Secretary for Labour, Youth, Sports and Manpower Development, Comptroller of Statutory Corporations, the Solicitor General and Secretary for Education, Science and Technology as ex-officio members.
Mabedi said the inclusion of several individuals with a background in the arts industry should bring hope to all art players as they intend to capitalise on their expertise to help and create a better understanding of crucial matters such as copyright laws, piracy and remittance of royalties.
“I and the other three friends have a deeper knowledge about the challenges that the industry has been facing. We will together work to share experiences and the problems as we explore workable solutions to these problems,” said Mabedi.
President Peter Mutharika has made appointments of new board members and reconstituted the board of directors in several statutory corporations and Cosoma is one of them.
Mabedi said his appointment is because of the trust that his peers place on him.
“I like to learn every day and I hope this platform will provide space for me to gain new knowledge,” he said.
Cosoma executive director Dora Salamba- Makwinja yesterday refused to comment on the appointments indicating that as an office, they are yet to receive official communication.
She said: “I have also just been seeing the communication through the social media. The moment we get the official communication, we will make a formal reaction.”
The communication announcing the new appointments, has been signed by Secretary in the Office of the President and Cabinet Lloyd Muhara. The appointmments are with immediate effect.
