President Hakainde Hichilema has reaffirmed the UPND government’s commitment to supporting musicians by allocating K400,000 towards the construction of recording studios in selected provinces. The move aims to empower artists and contribute to the growth of the country’s music industry.
The President expressed concern that musicians, especially those from distant provinces, face challenges in traveling to Lusaka or the Copperbelt for recording sessions. During a meeting with musicians from across the country at State House, President Hichilema encouraged artists to seize various empowerment opportunities provided by the government, particularly for the youth, to venture into diverse enterprises.
President Hichilema proposed the establishment of an artistic fund where stakeholders can contribute to fostering the growth of the music industry, enhancing its contribution to the country’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP).
Minister of Small and Medium Enterprises Development Elias Mubanga assured musicians that the ministry would empower artists with funds in the coming year to enhance their skills. He emphasized a non-discriminatory approach to provide opportunities for musicians of all backgrounds.
“In 2024, the government will also provide funds to allow citizens, especially youths such as artists, to venture into agriculture, aiming to promote the agriculture sector,” stated Mr. Mubanga.
President Hichilema acknowledged the challenges faced by artists and musicians, including the need for improved medical schemes. The government is actively working to ensure that art and music contribute to promoting peace and unity among the Zambian people.
During the meeting, discussions covered various issues affecting the music industry, and President Hichilema assured artists of the government’s commitment to addressing their concerns. He encouraged musicians, primarily the youth, to explore entrepreneurial activities beyond their artistic endeavors. The President highlighted examples of artists who have successfully diversified into farming, carpentry, and bricklaying.
President Hichilema expressed gratitude to artists and musicians who played a crucial role in advocating for positive change in the past and stood with the government. The President concluded by thanking the artists and musicians for the constructive conversation at State House, emphasizing the importance of such engagement.
This is a positive development. Music, just like other arts, if properly harnessed is a multimillion industry. The President has done it and I think it’s first of its kind. However, the quality of some works is so poor that they can’t sell. Government can just do what’s been done. Let me also appeal to politicians that when you engage artists to entertain crowds at your rallies, they’re there to just do that. They aren’t partisan. Or when they do songs like Dununa reverse, they do it for the money and not because they support you. So it’s wrong for your supporters to attack them when things don’t go well.
What is special with number K400,000 in UPND, because that’s figure also compensated to victims who sue the government.
@Ayatollah: If UPND wiped your ass after you got drunk and soiled yourself, you would still insult them. All your kind ever did was steal, here the government wants to do something positive in the provinces, and you are still complaining. Personally, I would support our traditional music in all the provinces. The traditional music is who we are. This rubbish copied from abroad does not help anyone.
@Nostradamus: It is the money they allocated and can afford. Praise them for allocating more than the zero that all the governments before did. Even my hero and idol, KK, never opened a studio, and as a result fantastic songs like “Kamulongwe” by the Masiye Band, “Mandalena” by Smokey Haangala, “Bashi Malama” by Bashi Malama, and may other classics by our old musicians were recorded on terrible 4 track masters… One of my favourite songs by the “Uweka Band” entitled “Ba Manager” is so terrible when I listen to it on YouTube… because of the terrible equipment at Teal Records. Amayenge recorded in better studios, and so songs like “Mao” actually sound good.
Be reminded that music goes beyond what was mentioned in that meeting such as advocacy, entertainment, contributing to GDP. There is a also a health aspect, the limbic system, which is involved in processing emotions and controlling memory, “lights” up when our ears perceive music.
It modulates levels of dopamine, as well as opioids in the brain. Your brain makes opioids. Neurons in the brain even fire with the beat of the music, which helps people feel connected to one another by literally synchronizing their brain waves when they listen to the same song.
What is the difference between this and the Presidential slush funds we have all along condemned?Every President from Chiluba through to HH wants money that noone including parliament checks to corrupt citizens with.
@ I hate Kaizar “Kanyenga-nyina” Zulu,
Not sure why you are attacking @Ayatollah, I think his message is positive praising UPND just as yourself commended the government. This is what he said “The President has done it and I think it’s first of its kind”. What is wrong with that??
@ general Kanene
Very good point.
@ I hate Kaizar “Kanyenga-nyina” Zulu,….. is a hateful person. He cannot see good or bad.
Yeah Mainga, He is a primitive tribalist of the Rwanda genocide breed. If Police can identify him, he should be locked up much longer than Kambwili. He also used to blog as Chilyata and he has been banned on ZO
The organisation invited musician to a meeting, some of the bands and musicians that attend that meeting at Cusa house along Cairo road included: Late Greg Miyanda, Late Nick Mwanza, Kanyula Band, Super Vina and the Burning Youth. Oxfam pledged to purchase the music instrument and agreed with the musicians that after the project comes to the end, musician will own the equipment if they contributed 10% of the total value of the equipment and everyone agreed
I wish they would not have given the instruments to the musicians. I wish they would have kept them in the studio to be rented during recording sessions. I mean who will count the money these musicians are making to verify that they are donating 10% and not 1%? We know from Congolese music how crooked musicians are, even to their own members. One of the greatest guitarists in the history of Congolese music, and therefore of the world, Popolipo, tells of how Mobutu send Koffi Olomide to play for Jonas Savimbi. As the chef du orchestre of the band, Koffi signed him to a payment of $200 for the session. However, Savimbi decided to give Koffi Olomide US $500, 000 instead of $10,000 as agreed. Koffi still paid Popolipo only $200 for the concert
as seen above there have been other initiatives before. What is lacking is creativity
What music studios can you build in K400,000? This is a price for a four bedroom house. It will mean these buildings will have no music instruments, no recording equipment. And in all provinces? Surely our economist has not sense of cost whatsoever.
People are failing to feed themselves, he goes to waste money on musicians who is now targeting via acc. Eeeembwa!!!
@Kaizar “who was hammered in the ass by priests” Zulu: The reason why people are hungry is because mathafakas stole the US $4 billion that Michael Satan found in the government reserves. Thereafter, he, followed by his nephew Edgar “Johnathan Mutawire” Lungu borrowed a criminal US $33 billion and looted it. The debtors of this money want it back, and they are taking everything Zambia is earning, including subsidies on mealie meal, as repayment for their debt. The suffering of the country is therefore your fault Kalya-nyoko. It is your fault. We need to find the half-full, and still in use pit latrine hole where you are hiding, getting it filled up, and put a big rock that no one can remove, so that you can rest forever where you belong
@Kaizar “who was hammered in the anas by priests” Zulu: The reason why people are hungry is because you mathafakas and Michael Satan stole the US $4 billion that you found in the government reserves. Thereafter, Satan and his nephew Edgar “Johnathan Mutawire” Lungu borrowed US $33 billion and looted it. The debtors of this money want it back, and they are taking everything Zambia has, including subsidies on mealie meal, as repayment for their debt. The suffering of the country is therefore your fault, Kalya-nyoko. We need to find the half-full, and still in use, pit latrine hole you are hiding in, getting it filled, and put a big rock on it that no one can remove, so that you can rest forever where you belong
Musicians just be happy and collect while you can. Crafty Politicians always look to exploit populism. UPND wants to come and take a ride on whoever will be releasing popular music around 2026
…………
The sad fact is the $270 million PF and lungu paid for the most expensive digital migration in Africa also included building studios in all provinces………..
Instead of studios , as part of grand embezzlement……….
Outside studio trucks were opted for……….
Not even sure these were delivered
I’m sure Yo-Maps was not invited for obvious reasons…. only Upnd musicians were invited recommended by Pilato.
It is my opinion that while the president holds a crucial leadership role in the central government, the allocation of funds without consulting local governments or provinces can create uncertainty and potential discord. While the president may have the best intentions in allocating funds for projects such as the construction of recording studios to boost the music industry, it is important to consider the perspectives and needs of local communities.
What is the difference between this and the Presidential slush funds we have all along condemned?Every President from Chiluba through to HH wants money that noone including parliament checks to corrupt citizens with.
Rewarding his cadres.
By bypassing local consultation, there is a risk of overlooking important local considerations and potentially causing resentment or resistance among the affected communities. It is crucial for the central government, led by the president, to engage in meaningful dialogue with local authorities and residents to ensure that the allocation of funds reflects the diverse needs and aspirations of the population.
While the president plays a vital role in allocating funds for national development initiatives, collaboration with local governments and provinces is paramount for fostering unity, understanding, and effective utilization of resources. This approach can help minimize uncertainty and enhance the overall impact of government initiatives on local communities.
hen states lack the power to act independently of the central government, it can create uncertainty and instability within a country. The concentration of power at the central level, particularly in the hands of the president, can lead to a lack of responsiveness to diverse regional needs and preferences. This centralization can stifle innovation and hinder the ability of states to address local challenges effectively.
Furthermore, when states are unable to exercise significant powers, it can lead to a sense of disempowerment among citizens who feel disconnected from the decision-making processes that directly impact their lives. This can erode trust in the political system and lead to feelings of alienation and disenfranchisement.
when provinces lack sufficient powers relative to the central government, it can lead to uncertainty, disenfranchisement, and a sense of disconnection among citizens. Striking a balance between central government and provinces powers is essential for fostering stability and ensuring that governance is responsive to the diverse needs of the population.
Where is this K400,000 coming from? You are lame and lazy reporters who just publish stuff without examining the facts within.
“allocating K400,000 towards the construction of recording studios in selected provinces.?”