Times Of Swaziland: COPYRIGHT SECRETARIAT DELIVERS PROGRESS REPORT

COPYRIGHT SECRETARIAT DELIVERS PROGRESS REPORT
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Mxolisi Dlamini on 13/11/2024 13:30:00


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.