COPYRIGHT SECRETARIAT DELIVERS PROGRESS REPORT

MBABANE – The Eswatini Copyright Secretariat met with Minister of Commerce, Industry and Trade Manqoba Khumalo on Monday, to deliver a progress report.

The submission of this report follows a recent stakeholder consultative meeting held by the Eswatini Copyright and Neighbouring Rights Society (ESWACOS) on November 5, at the Hilton Garden Inn in Mbabane. The meeting focused on the draft regulations related to the Copyright and Neighbouring Rights Act, along with the introduction of an innovative music tariff schedule anticipated to generate over E30 million annually for local artists. This new initiative aims to ensure equitable remuneration for the country’s music creators and significantly enhance their earnings.

The news regarding the progress report was shared on the official Eswatini Government Facebook page. “Minister of Commerce, Industry and Trade Manqoba Khumalo, received a courtesy visit from the Eswatini Copyright and Neighbouring Rights Society, who delivered their progress report to the minister,” the post stated. Mmeli Hlanze, Executive Director of ESWACOS, also took to social media to express gratitude for the minister’s interest in their advancements. “Thank you to the honourable minister for showing keen interest in the progress of ESWACOS and the development of copyright industries in Eswatini. We’re making great strides, and soon enough there will be tangible benefits for artists, creators, and rights holders in the country,” Hlanze remarked.

ESWACOS is an umbrella Collective Management Organisation (CMO) in Eswatini, dedicated to protecting and promoting the economic interests of copyright holders across various creative sectors. Operating under the Copyright and Neighbouring Rights Act, Act No. 4 of 2018, ESWACOS is the sole organisation responsible for administering copyright and neighbouring rights in the country.

Property

Their mission centres on generating significant economic value for rights holders, both domestically and internationally, through comprehensive registration and licensing of their works.
This entails collecting and distributing royalties, ensuring fair compensation for creators using their intellectual property. An online survey recently undertaken by ESWACOS attracted considerable attention, yielding over 250 responses from music creators. This initiative seeks to illuminate the local music landscape, uncovering vital insights into the demographics and practices of music creators, including singers, songwriters, musicians, producers, arrangers, publishers and record label owners in Eswatini.

A striking majority of the respondents fall within the 21 to 30 age bracket, indicating that a youthful demographic is actively engaging in the music industry. However, a concerning trend also emerged, over 50 per cent of participants have released fewer than 10 songs commercially throughout their careers, underscoring the challenges faced by local artists.The survey’s findings accentuated the urgent need for all music creators and rights holders in Eswatini to actively participate in these initiatives. By sharing their experiences and insights, they contributed to a more accurate understanding of the music industry in the country, which is pivotal for developing effective support strategies tailored to empower local artists.
Eswatini Copyright Secretariat forges ahead, the collaboration with the minister of Commerce, marks a significant step towards fostering a robust environment for music rights and supporting the aspirations of local artists.

Post your comment

Your name:

Your e-mail address:

Add your comments:

Please enter the code you see in the image:

Image:

Code: