By Jimmy Chazama & Sam Banda Jnr:
Filmmaker and musician Kendall Kamwendo of the Symon and Kendall fame yesterday was the top earner in the blank media levy through audiovisual category when he received K17 million followed by Lawrence Nyale, who pocketed K11.7 million.
Kamwendo has earned K17 million through School Days, alongside Nyale and others, a film that went viral on social media and garnered millions of views.
He was not readily available for his comment on Thursday.
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The other recipients in the audiovisual/filmmakers category are filmmakers such as Stephen Masamba, Jamilu Chikakuda and Charles Shemu Joyah, pocketing over K10 million.
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Musician Piksy has also collected over K8 million in the film category, which also includes the late John Nyanga and Eric Mabedi, popularly known as Izeki ndi Jakobo in the comic circles, who have received over K3 million each.
In the music category, Driemo, who received over K5 million in the blank media levy in January 2024 disbursement alongside Eli Njuchi, has dominated it, receiving K9.4 million alongside Saint on K9.1 million followed by Chifuniro Magalasi and Patience Namadingo on K8 million.
Jetu, who has in recent times taken the country by storm, was also among the K1 million earners.
Other notable recipients included Guntola, Chizmo Sting, Che Mandota, Wendy Harawa, Sir Paul Banda, Sean Morgan and San B.
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The distribution also made payouts to fallen artists such as Atoht Manje, Martse, Tremour, Katelele Ching’oma, Grace Chinga and Soldier Lucius Banda.
In the literary works category, Claim Limited has received K20 million followed by Grey Matter on K14.8 million and Education Africa on K13 million.
The copyright body has disbursed K917 million in total, up from K505 million in the previous payout in January this year, to musicians, filmmakers and authors whose works were reproduced during the period of October 2023 to March 2024.
A total of K524, 121,640.19 has been given out in musical works to 2,204 beneficiaries whereas a total of K262, 060,820.10 has been disbursed to 578 beneficiaries in the literary (academic) works whereas a total of K131, 030,410.05 has been given out to 28 beneficiaries in the audiovisual works (films) segment.
Cosoma yesterday held an event at which over 100 creatives, whose works have earned them royalties exceeding K1 million, were presented with certificates of recognition at a ceremony held at Crossroads Hotel in Lilongwe.
Minister of Local Government, Unity and Culture Richard Chimwendo Banda presided over the event.
Chimwendo Banda hailed Cosoma on its transparency and pledged government’s support towards the initiative.
“We, as government, are committed to supporting Cosoma financially and through legislation,” he said.
Cosoma Board Chairperson Bishop Reverend Chimwemwe Mhango highlighted the country’s progress in supporting artists.
“In Africa, Malawi is doing great in supporting artists through the blank media levy,” Mhango said.
Some filmmakers said yesterday that they were not satisfied with the outcome and that they would petition the copyright body.
But Cosoma Head of Documentation and Distribution Shadrick Kumtengo said the distribution system was transparent and that there was no favouritism of any kind.
