Mum South Chapter outlines challenges
By Sam Banda Jnr:
Musicians Union of Malawi (Mum) Southern Chapter has said it is struggling now because of lack of adequate funding.
Mum South Chairperson, Tonney Chitimatima, who retained his position during elections on Tuesday, but his position has been rocked in controversy, said in a report for July 2017 to January 2019, that they need more funds to implement different projects.
“We are operating at a very low budget and we have tried different means to raise funds, but it has not worked now. We hope we will manage to get support this year,” Chitimatima said.
Some of the challenges which Chitimatima also highlighted in the report include lack of operational office, piracy, lack of musical market, less interest of musicians in union activities and less visibility of the organisation.
“We need to do more to succeed in all this. Looking at the plans and already implemented activities, the chapter would like to encourage more members to join the union. We need to re-open the chapter office as we are operating at Chrichi Gardens for now,” he said.
He added that the chapter is of the view that they need an office urgently and that they will continue to hold income generating activities.
Chitimatima also said the South chapter plans to open a musical market where customers will be able to access original CDs and DVDs as well as more relevant information concerning Malawian music.
“This was projected to be implemented by December 2018, but we failed due to lack of funding. We will try as much as possible to work on this. As a chapter, we also wish to revamp the studio so that musicians can be assisted to record their projects at a lower fee,” he said.
Chitimatima also said ahead of the elections in May 2019, the chapter plans to record a song both audio and video to sensitise Malawians on their rights, obligation and role to vote.
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