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No policies to protect artists—Tuku

Music superstar Oliver Mtukudzi has said the Government of National Unity in Zimbabwe has failed the arts sector which continues to be looked down upon because of attitude problems.

He said there are no strong laws and policies which protect musicians, authors, sculptors and other artists who are being driven out of business because of piracy and other copyrights infringements.

“Piracy is like rape because you will be taking away our rights as artists,” said Mtukudzi.

“No one has really been imprisoned in line with the gravity of the offence. Maybe this is because of lack of respect and the general negative attitude towards artists.”

Mtukudzi, whose Kiss FM lost the bid for one of the two commercial radio licences, was still hopeful that his company would soon be licensed.

“I am confident that this is going to happen and we are going to be licensed,” he said without elaborating.

Mtukudzi was also confident that Zimbabwean artists will play a major role in improving the image of the country battered by almost a decade of a political and economic crisis.

“Our image can only be straightened by our artists,” he said.

“Art is a reflection of who we truly are and this sector can improve the image of the country in any form.”

Mtukudzi cited sculptor Dominic Benhura as one of the artists that carries the country’s flag high whenever he holds exhibitions, workshops and sales for his internationally acclaimed works.

“We have no competition because there is no better us than us. Benhura is an ambassador and that is what we all are when we are out there, yet we do not get any respect and protection,” he said.—The Standard

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