There is excitement in the air coming from the Capital Lilongwe where Claim Mabuku and Actor Kendall Kamwendo have topped the list of recipients in this year’s royalties which have been administered by the Copyright Society of Malawi (COSOMA).
Today, COSOMA distributed a staggering K917.2 million in royalties to creatives in the fields of academic writing, film and music. The royalties are from October 2023 to March 2024.
According to COSOMA statistics, the royalties distribution was dominated by musicians in which 2,204 artists shared K524.1 million.
Whereas, 578 Academic and Non-Fiction authors received K262.1 million and K131 million was shared among 28 filmmakers.
The highest recipients Claim Mabuku and Kendall received K 20 million and K17 million in the categories of Academic writing and film, respectively.
Kendall is a film actor and producer, who is behind the production of a popular movie called ‘School Days’ which took the country’s film landscape this year by storm.
The film features a crazy characters called Phwedo, who became people’s favourite.
In the category of music, AfroPop musicians Driemo and Saint earned a lion’s share as they pocketed K9 million each. They were followed by Eli Njuchi and Dr. Namadingo who received K 8 million each.
In the category of K7 million, there were Giboh Pearson of Idzathera ma Penalty fame, Kell Kay and the late Lucius Banda.
Amapiano star Zeze Kingston of Kusangalala famous song went home with K6 million while the category of K5 million had the likes of Phyzix, Wikise, Dan Lu and the late Atoht Manje who released a smash-hit titled Mchape before his sudden death.
In the category of K4 million, there were Skeffa Chimoto, Onesimus, Gwamba, Piksy, Jay Jay Cee, Malceba and the rising Afro-Soul singer Praise Umali. And many others artists received royalties in categories of K3 million, K2 million and K1 million.
A 70 year-old Amapiano artist Jetu, who received K 1 million, was the toast of the glamorous event which was presided over by the Minister of Local government Richard Chimwendo-Banda.
In total, this year’s royalties distribution benefited about 2,806 creatives.
In an interview, COSOMA’s board chairman Reverend Chimwemwe Mhango described the royalties distribution a the society’s commitment towards uplifting the country’s creative industries.
“As COSOMA, we are committed to protecting and promoting the interests of authors, composers, producers, performers and broadcasters as our mission stipulates.
“We urge the creatives to continue producing quality and competitive work as well as registering with us in order to maximize the benefits of the works.”
Kendall said he was excited for being one of the highest recipients of the royalties this year. He attributed it to hard and teamwork.
