Zimura retraces 40-year journey

ZIMBABWE Music Rights Association (Zimura) executive director Polisile Ncube-Chimhini says they are happy with the association’s growth in the past 40 years.

Zimura is set to have its 40th celebrations dubbed Zimura @40 Concert later in September.

The organisation, which started with only 16 members in 1984 has more than 4000 members to date.

Zimura was Gill Atkinson’s brainchild in 1982 with the idea of protecting music copyright.

“Back then using the acronym

Zimra, the organisation was established in 1982, registered with the Registrar of companies. Zimura got licensed with the ministry of Justice and Constitutional Affairs present day Ministry of Justice and Legal and Parliamentary Affairs to operate as a collective administration body in March 1982.

“It was later admitted as an associate member of Cisac which is an international body of Collective Management Organisations from across the world. Cisac protects the rights and promote the interests of music creators worldwide,” Ncube-Chimhini told

Standard Style.

She said in May 31, 1984

16 composers were admitted to full membership and to date Zimura has 4121 members.

The composers who were admitted to full membership were Thomas Mapfumo, Lovemore Majaivana, Mhungu Jacobus, Murambadoro, Ezekiel Messiah, Safirio Madzikatire, James Chimombe, Marshall Munhumumwe, Fanyana Dube, Brian Rusike, Mutombo Gaby, Zexie Manatsa, Tinei Chikupo, Ncube Julia, Mukwamba Patrick, Leonard Dembo and Ukama Stanley.

Zimura spokesperson Alexio “Goodchild” Gwenzi said they were preparing for the festival to celebrate the association’s 40 year fete.

“The festival is coming up in celebration of 40 years of Zimura’s existence. It’s going to be a three-day event with two editions, one in Bulawayo and the other in Harare,” Gwenzi said. “So we haven’t come up with dates but we have set September as the month. We shall be awarding artistes who have been getting more airplay and more royalties, this is to inspire the next artiste to aim higher. “During the festivities we shall take the opportunity to launch our book, which documents the association’s journey from the beginning till date.”