Southern Africa loses millions to audio-video piracy

      Southern African countries are losing millions of dollars every year as a result of music piracy and illegal audio and video music cassettes. Now strategies are being put in place to vigorously combat this problem which is affecting not only the region but the international arts industry.
      The case of Tanzania highlights why so many talented artists have not realised their full potential. Tanzania is reported to be loosing an average of US$9.4 million every year to piracy.
      Tanzania’s Music Copyright Association (TMCA) Secretary General Francis Kaswahili said over six million audio music cassettes 

 problem. Coordinated mechanisms at the regional level have been identified to assist in dealing with the problem. 
      They include exchanging information and data on piracy and copyright matters, and developing cooperation with other national, regional and inter-national organisations.
      Different countries have also realised the flaws of their Copyright and Neighbouring Rights Acts. Botswana and Zimbabwe recently updated their laws. Botswana’s new law was passed in April 2000 and replaces an old 1965 law. 

      Zimbabwe’s new Copyright and Neighbouring Rights Act passed in September 2000 repealed the old of 1976. The act protects literary, music, artistic and audio-visual works.
      Malawi and Zimbabwe have also gone a step further by establishing anti-piracy agencies to effectively combat piracy.
      Top on the agenda of these agencies is to educate and to assist in the apprehension and prosecution of the offenders.

By Jabulani Sithole

and 2.5 million video cassettes were illegally duplicated and sold on the country’s streets last year.
      “Pirated goods have raised much concern, particularly in the area of music recordings as the authors and producers have lost considerable amounts of revenue because of pirating,” said Daniel Kwelagobe Botswana’s minister of commerce and industry. 
      The magnitude of piracy has necessitated co-operation of SADC states, the private sector and civic society in a bid to alleviate the

Women launch radio station in Mozambique

The Association of Women in the Mass Media (AMCS) in Mozambique recently launched a community radio in Maputo that seeks to deal with issues important to women, the Media Institute of Southern Africa (MISA) announced recently.
      The new station, “N’tyana”, broadcasts in Portuguese and 

Shangaan. Julieta Langa, chair of the Supreme Mass Media Council of Mozambique, said broadcasts would deal with education, the new family law currently under nationwide debate, domestic violence and health, particularly the spread of HIV/AIDS.
      The station is sponsored by Oxfam-America. Nine people have been trained and initially it will broadcast 13-hours-a-day.( IRIN) 

Internationally renowned South African musician, Hugh Masekela, has launched a drug and alcohol rehabilitation programme to assist musicians
and artists who face addiction.
      Masekela, a recovering alcoholic and drug-addict, in early February spoke out against the “culture of 

for 26-28 February at the Johannesburg Civic Theatre.
      Masekela who has admitted to using cocaine, barbiturates, amphetamines and marijuana for 40 years, said his life has become “miraculous” since he cleaned
himself up. 
      The campaign will be taken to 

political rallies, communities and schools. Identified addicted artists will be approached and encouraged to go for counselling. 
     MAAPSA’s headquarters will be in Hillbrow where drug abuse, prostitution and crime are rife. Musicians and doctors will run the office.(PANA) 

Angola prepares for national carnival 2001

Angolan government has stepped up preparations for the 2001 National Cultural Carnival slated for 24-27 February.
      Official sources said some
US$250,000 has been made available for the organisation of the event, as against US$340,000 spent in 2000.
      National Arts and Culture Director, Vieira Lopes, said some 

changes are envisaged in the programme this year based on available financial resources.
      The budget for organisation commit-tees in the provinces would be cut by about 80 percent, Lopes said, adding, however that despite the financial constraints the citizens would enjoy a big festival.
      More than 150 groups, including 44 from Luanda have been registered for the national carnival. (PANA)

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