Newly appointed Copyright Society of Malawi (Cosoma) board chairperson Eziaus Mkandawire has said his team will prioritise strengthening Cosoma’s revenue collection to ensure that artists benefit more.
The veteran filmmaker said this in an interview yesterday following the government’s announcement of new boards for 66 parastatals.
Besides Mkandawire, who has taken over from Bishop Chimwemwe Mhango, other members are musicians Wendy Harawa, Deborah Ntopa, poet Evelyn Chisambiro, Bishop Chimwemwe Chafumuka with legal practitioner-cum-musician Edgar Kachere is vice-chairperson.
Mkandawire, Kachere, Harawa and Ntopa have been retained from the previous board while former board chairperson Bishop Mhango and board member Anthony Dumba have been left out.
In an interview, Mkandawire said:
Ntopa (L) and Mkandawire in the new board. | Nation
“We want to put more effort into improving collections to collect more money and make sure artists get what they deserve fairly. Second thing will be to ensure Cosoma operates efficiently.”
He said there are several areas that need to be improved, and as per their mandate in collective management, the board will ensure to put in place efficient strategies to deliver.
In a separate interview yesterday, Musician Union of Malawi president Vita Chirwa welcomed the appointment of the new board, expressing optimism about its potential to strengthen the creative sector.
“We hope the new board will bring renewed energy, innovation and accountability to the sector ,” he said.
Chirwa also urged the new board to enhance stakeholder engagement, saying artists and their representative bodies must be consistently engaged in decision-making.
“This helps to ensure that policies and initiatives reflect the realities on the ground and promote inclusive growth within the sector,” he said.
Malawi Writers Union president Shadreck Chikoti said the retention of some members on the new Cosoma Board will help maintain the institution’s memory and ensure continuity.
He noted that artists have previously raised concerns that Cosoma has focused more on musicians than on other art forms. Chikoti expressed hope that the new board will address this imbalance.
“There is a need for all artists, including writers and visual artists, to benefit equally and have a fair share of royalties,” he said.
Chikoti also suggested that the board should consider establishing a support package for associations to strengthen them and their role in the creative sector.
Mkandawire, a filmmaker and scriptwriter, served in the previous board as vice-chairperson and he is also credited for co-founding the Film Association of Malawi and served as its first president.
