MUM demands protection of Grace Chinga’s music
Musicians Union of Malawi ( MUM ) has asked the Copyright Society of Malawi ( Cosoma) to intervene in the alleged infringement of the late Grace Chinga’s music.
Meanwhile, a fight between Chinga’s children (Steve Spesho and Miracle) and their uncle Davie Chinga over the ownership, infringement and financial benefits of Grace’s music is refusing to die.
The children have raised the alarm on their uncle’s suspected dishonest dealings in their mother’s works, claiming he is producing and selling CDs without their knowledge.
“We don’t know who authorised Cosoma to be issuing holograms for our mother’s music to be put on the market. We suspect foul play in this whole issue,” said Steve Spesho.
The debate was rife on the WhatsApp group called About Grace Chinga’s music and Cosoma, which has been created by Steve Spesho.
Steve Spesho wondered why Cosoma is allowing his uncle to be selling her mother’s music legally yet the music is under dispute.
“He is the only one benefiting at the moment. I don’t know the deal he has with Cosoma. My sister Miracle needs to go to school but we have nothing,” said Spesho.
Cosoma executive director Dora Makwinja confirmed discussing the issue with Steve Spesho.
She added that Cosoma offered to bring both parties to a roundtable but she is surprised that the issue was found on the forum.
“In my view, whether Cosoma provided stickers to the uncle for the DVD/CDs is a matter that cannot be resolved in this manner. Your uncle is not on this forum for everyone to appreciate his side of the story. I would, therefore, be cautious to comment on something that we have only had one side of it.” she said.
On his part, MUM president, Reverend Chimwemwe Mhango suggested a meeting between Grace’s children, his body and Cosoma to map the way forward.
Meanwhile, spokesperson for Cosoma, Rosario Kamanga, says it is unfortunate that before her death, Grace Chinga did not indicate in her membership form to Cosoma as to who would take ownership of her intellectual property in case of her death.
Born on June 28, 1978 Grace died on March 16 last year and was buried at HHI cemetery in Blantyre.n
