NACZ moves to assert authority

The registration will be augmented with set benchmarks for promoters and venues on how they should pay artistes and compliance with the standards will be monitored.
Realising that the families of many artistes that would have fallen on hard times, struggle with arranging a decent burial, the arts and culture regulatory body will also soon be launching a funeral fund for artistes to assist their families in times of bereavement.
Performing artistes particularly, continue to sing the blues as they are at the mercy of entertainment sharks and venue owners who “exploit” them. The meagre pickings they get after shows have not put them in any better position as they have to defray various costs. The tempestuous economic environment has not been helpful either as most artistes have failed to make meaningful gains out of their works. Eventually, some have died virtually paupers despite their immense and immeasurable contribution to the sector.
One example that comes to mind is that of prolific writer, Charles Mungoshi, who, despite having published various works, some of which have been used in the Zimbabwean school curricula, is bed-ridden and is unable to settle his medical bills at a local hospital. His legacy as one of the country’s most celebrated writers has not brought him any relief from those that have and still benefit from his sweat.
In a wide-ranging interview with The Financial Gazette, NACZ marketing and communications manager, Donald Chidoori, said people enjoy and make money out of the works of artistes, yet the artistes die paupers, therefore, it is required that promoters, venue operators and all those who hire artistes have to be registered with the regulator.
NACZ was established in 1985 through an Act of Parliament to regulate, develop and promote the arts industry.
“What’s happening is that these promoters and venue operators are using the artistes to attract crowds to their venues where a host of other stuff such as alcoholic beverages are sold, but they are not giving the artistes any remuneration. So, what we want to achieve by this exercise is for the promoters and venue operators to comply with the regulations.”
To enforce this requirement, NACZ has teams countrywide, through its provincial offices, which are compiling lists of the promoters and venues that host artistes.
He said, “What we want is a win-win situation where everybody benefits. That’s why we are not conducting this exercise with a heavy hand because we don’t want the promoters and venue operators to stop their work, but they should register and comply with the regulations.”
He said most promoters and venue operators didn’t know that they were required to register. However, many have registered and some have promised to come forward and dothe same. But those who decide not to register “will soon be forced to do so”. In order to ensure uniformity and clarity, the regulatory body has created a structure of payment for artistes.
“We have people on the ground to monitor and authenticate compliance . A certificate of registration will only be issued after NACZ is satisfied there is compliance. For those who fail to comply, they wouldn’t get the certificates and will not be allowed to host any artistes,” said Chidoori.
Chidoori said that NACZ, in its capacity as the “mother and father of the arts sector in the country”, besides trying to bring sanity to the industry, has also come up with various programmes to support the sector one of which is the funeral fund. The funeral fund would be set up by contributions from the artistes themselves where each artiste is expected to make a US$50 once-off payment to the fund. The contribution, which would be staggered over five months, will cater for the full funeral service in case an artiste dies.
The benefits under this fund include a three-tier coffin, a vehicle, funeral parlour expenses and food.
There are also other additional benefits for artistes who contribute to the fund. These include a US$1 000 payment to the family of the artiste if he/she dies in an accident. And in the case where an artiste loses his instruments in an accident, NACZ will provide US$2 000 for the purchase of new instruments upon delivery of the same. The fund also takes into cognisance of band members should the artiste passes on. Chidoori said NACZ is also in the process of creating a comprehensive arts and culture directory.
“This is an important instrument for networking and marketing of artistes both locally and internationally. This will give customers the opportunity to know which artistes are where and be able to know how to contact them in case they need their services. The directory will also include a list of funding partners such as the UN Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO), the Culture Fund Trust, etc,” he said.
Despite the funding constraints, the NACZ has remained actively involved in the promotion of the arts. It has, together with Chibuku, sustained the Chibuku Road to Fame contest for up and coming artistes. But some of the notable cultural events it has on its calendar include the Jikinya Dance Festival for primary schools and the Jerusarema Mbende Festival besides the annual National Arts Merit Awards, in acknowledgement of the work by artistes, to mention just but a few. Chidoori said the festivals are meant to counter the invasion by foreign products such as kwaito or rhumba.