MwanaFA’s directive for exclusive bongo music in Tanzanian airports takes effect
Tanzania’s Assistant Minister for Culture, Arts, and Sports, Mwana Falsafa, popularly known as MwanaFA, has orchestrated a groundbreaking move that promises to transform the auditory landscape of the country’s airports.
In a recent directive, the legendary rapper mandated that only Tanzanian music be played in all airports across the nation.
MwanaFA, who is also a Member of Parliament representing Muheza constituency, revealed that the initiative aims not only to bolster the revenue stream for Tanzanian artists but also to spotlight the richness of Tanzanian musical artistry.
The directive came to fruition after a collaborative meeting between MwanaFA, Tanzania Airports Director General Musa Mbura, Tanzania National Arts Council (BASATA), and the Copyright Society of Tanzania (COSOTA).
MwanaFA shared his vision, stating, “We want everybody jetting into the country to experience the diversity and talent of our artists through the exclusive presentation of 100 percent Tanzanian compositions. This initiative is about promoting our art on a global scale and simultaneously enhancing the income for our artists.”
Director General Musa Mbura affirmed the commitment of the airports to the directive and outlined plans to swiftly implement the change.
“We have been using songs from artists around the world for our service delivery at airports. However, we believe in the minister’s ideology that using 100 percent Tanzanian music will better serve our purpose of promoting local talent and creating awareness among visitors. We are finalizing a framework to ensure the immediate implementation of this directive.”
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MwanaFA’s influence has not only been felt in the music sphere but also in the legislative arena. As part of his commitment to reforming intellectual property rights, he successfully amended Section 7 of the Tanzanian Copyright Act.
This amendment paved the way for the establishment of a Collective Management Organization (CMO), a limited company whose shareholders are musicians.
The CMO will now handle the collection and distribution of royalties on behalf of the artists.
Reflecting on this achievement, MwanaFA stated, “For years, artists have been grappling with poor royalty payments. The establishment of the CMO is a significant step towards rectifying this issue. Although I anticipate challenges in its initial stages, this is the right direction for the long-term benefit of our artistic community.”
As Tanzania prepares to showcase its musical prowess to the world through its airport terminals, MwanaFA’s initiatives signal a positive shift in the recognition and compensation of the country’s vibrant and talented artists.
The exclusive playlist of Tanzanian compositions at airports is expected to take flight in the near future, marking a milestone for the nation’s cultural identity and creative industry.