GWERU - Afro-Jazz singer and song writer Dudu ManhengaSpeaking to The Zimbabwean on the sidelines of the recent National Culture Week Launch held here over the weekend, Manhenga, who is also a board member for the National Arts Council of Zimbabwe (NACZ), said a local company has been lined up for the deal already.
“In line with this year’s Culture Week Theme which is ‘Towards professionalizing arts,’ as NACZ, we thought it prudent that over 100 000 practicing musicians in the country be helped to get funeral policies. The policy will cost $50, paid over five months, and soon we will launch publicity for the deal,” Manhenga said.
Citing the example of the late South African Mbaqanga music singer Simon “Mahlatini” Nkabinde, Mangenga pointed out that many popular artists in Zimbabwe leave problems for their families when they die because they have not prepared in advance.
“The broader objective is to make artists professional. If the music industry could be transformed that way, it will be a step in the right direction for Zimbabwe,” she said.
If the deal sails through, it will be a welcome development for many artists in the country who are unable to match funeral policy costs charged by several local firms.
The Zimbabwe Music Rights Association (ZIMURA) has over 2 000 members, but the majority of them struggle to make ends meet.
Post published in: Music