Zimbabwean artists have expressed relief after the government backtracked on its directive to hike mobile data tariffs following a public outcry.
BY WINSTONE ANTONIO
Information Communication Technology minister Supa Mandiwanzira was last Thursday forced to suspend a Postal and Telecomunications Regulatory Authority of Zimbabwe directive to mobile operators setting the floor price at 12c per minute for voice calls and 12c for data.
According to the now suspended tariffs unveiled by Econet Wireless — the largest mobile operator in Zimbabwe — 2.5 megabytes of data plus 2.5 gigabytes on WiFi would have cost $50. Clive “Mono” Mukundu, a renowned Harare-based music producer, said social media had become an important platform for artists locally as it linked them to their followers and new markets.
He said higher data costs would have pushed some artists out of business.
“As a music producer, I have done many projects via the internet starting with the late mbira queen Chiwoniso Maraire’s international collaborations with artistes like Italian guitarist Antonio Forcione and some United States of America musicians,” he said.
“I have also done some works for South African gospel artiste Lufuno Dagada while I am here in Zimbabwe and a number of Zimbabwean artists in the diaspora.
“If the tariffs had not been reversed, it was going to be a huge challenge for us.”
- Chamisa under fire over US$120K donation
- Mavhunga puts DeMbare into Chibuku quarterfinals
- Pension funds bet on Cabora Bassa oilfields
- Councils defy govt fire tender directive
Keep Reading
Mukundu said the internet was crucial for artistes who wanted to keep abreast with new trends in the industry.
“In Zimbabwe we do not have colleges that teach sound engineering and production, all of us rely on tutorials offered by internationally renowned producers and engineers on the internet,” he added.
“It is also possible to discuss and ask questions one-on-one via skype and this could have been compromised if the tariff increase had not been reversed.
Jive Zimbabwe director Benjamin Nyandoro said the internet had helped to improve the quality of local arts even though Zimbabwe was yet to catch up with the rest of the world.
“As an arts promotion company, Jive Zimbabwe utilises technology to drive local arts for greater consumption in the country and beyond,” he said.
“Internet is our major resource to get local music to places that we have never been and it has made it possible to have Tammy’s music reach Asia, Europe, America, without her necessarily going there to physically deliver it.
“The internet has become a part and way of life and not regarded as a luxury anymore, but a necessity that has increased the market and consumer interface.”
Arts promoter Plot Mhako said expensive data services would kill the local arts industry.
“The internet is the new working space for artistes and impeding its access could have been tantamount to closing down their offices, careers and livelihoods,” he said.
“The music and arts community heavily relies on the internet for communication, networking, distribution of works, access to information and applications that enhance their trade.
“Platforms such as iTunes have helped a lot of musicians evade piracy as they can sell their music online.
“It could have become very difficult for the dancers, writers, actors, visual artists, musicians, designers among other creatives to publish their works as the internet gave them that urge.”
An avid dancehall music follower from Mbare who only identified himself as Ras TK, said the tariff hike could have disrupted social media in terms of content marketing and distribution.
“There are platforms like PO Box and Bus Stop that thrive on content marketing where they push their productions to the audiences on Facebook and YouTube in return for sponsored content and adverts.
“They could have been affected by the move if it was affected,” he said.
An increasing number of Zimbabweans use social media to market their projects and businesses utilise it to connect with their customers.
