The Zimbabwe Musicians Union (ZIMU) denounces the Zimbabwe Music Rights Association (ZIMURA)’s sudden imposition of a USD 150 licensing fee on artists performing cover songs. This directive flagrantly contravenes both global best practices and Zimbabwean law. Globally, licensing fees for public performances are the responsibility of venues and promoters, who secure licenses to cover all performances within their spaces, with royalties distributed to creators. This is not only standard practice in jurisdictions like the United States, South Africa, and the European Union but is also enshrined in Zimbabwe’s Copyright and Neighbouring Rights Act (Chapter 26:05) and has been implemented by ZIMURA itself for years.
By abruptly shifting this burden to artists, ZIMURA has upended a decades-old system, sowing confusion and anxiety across the industry. The association has failed to clarify how or when this fee will be enforced, leaving musicians and venues in limbo. This lack of transparency has already led to the immediate suspension of live performances by risk-averse venues, stripping thousands of artists of their livelihoods overnight. Families reliant on gig income now face an uncertain future, with many unsure how they will survive beyond this month.
Of grave concern is the directive’s disproportionate impact on women in music, many of whom depend on cover performances to sustain their careers in a male-dominated industry. In response, ZIMU’s United Women in Music desk is preparing to petition the Ministry of Gender to address this crisis, which threatens to erase decades of progress for female artists.
ZIMU questions how such a punitive tariff was ever proposed in an economy where even licensed venues struggle to stay afloat. The policy’s architects have not explained how rural artists—already marginalized by systemic neglect—are expected to absorb this cost. Instead of fostering creativity, ZIMURA’s fee threatens to silence a generation of musicians, many of whom are women relying on performances to support their families.
ZIMU emphasizes that performing cover songs is neither illegal nor immoral—it is a legitimate and celebrated profession that breathes life into Zimbabwe’s cultural heritage. Criminalizing this practice through punitive fees undermines artistic expression and betrays the spirit of copyright law, which exists to balance creator rights with public access to art.
The union demands:
- Immediate withdrawal of the $150 USD artist fee.
- Restoration of compliance obligations to venues/promoters, as mandated by law.
- Urgent stakeholder dialogue involving ZIMU, artists, government, and copyright holders to design equitable solutions.
ZIMURA’s actions have fractured trust in an already fragile sector. Only through inclusive engagement can we ensure fair compensation for creators without sacrificing the livelihoods of performers. We are engaging with the National Arts Council and other stakeholders to intervene and return normalcy to the sector.
We invite all artists who have been affected or might be affected by this directive to contact us so that their plight can be amplified as we speak with one voice and seek to find redress.
Media Contact: admin@zimu.africa
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