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| Government studio project stalls |
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by
Chisomo Kachapila, 30 January 2004
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13:35:02
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Silence may mean all is well or things have derailed somewhere. This is why musicians in the country have complained over the blackout of information regarding the progress of a recording studio which the Sports and Cultural Trust Fund was assigned to establish
President Bakili Muluzi came to the rescue of artists, including musicians when he initiated the formation of the trust fund with an initial fund to kick start the project.
First on the trust fund’s line of projects was the establishment of the music recording studio, with a place identified at the Chichiri Museums.
Another person who tried his best to have the studio ready before long, was former Youth, Sports and Culture Minister Moses Dossi.
Sadly, Dossi’s removal from cabinet and some changes at the trust fund have brought with them a dead silence on the future of the project most musicians regarded a lifeline.
But where is the project stalling?
Reports from some quarters within the music fraternity indicate that studio equipment to the tune of K7 million was bought and brought into the country but it seems nobody knows what has become of it.
“It is a big concern to me because I am also a musician and this is total misuse of equipment which musicians were supposed to benefit from.
“It is unfortunate that the chairman of the trust fund (Vincent Mpaluko) did not consult me or any other board member even at the time he was buying the equipment. He is probably the only person who knows where it is,” said Goodson Gomonda, a board member of the revolving fund.
Musician and champion for the Kuche Kuche Music Awards Ben Michael also expressed his concern in an interview with Nation Online.
“We don’t know whether the equipment was bought or not, but all I say is that they should not just create unnecessary excitement while they know that they cannot honour their promises,” he said.
In another interview, Mlaka Maliro of Maloto Vibrations said, as a musician, he is among those concerned but there is nothing he could do as an individual.
“Everything is in the hands of the musicians association, so it’s up to them. Dossi, took us to see the place but since then all we have heard was that someone was keeping the equipment,” said Maliro.
Acting president for the Musicians Association of Malawi (Mam) Wellington Chatepa confirmed that the equipment is still in the hands of the trust fund and that Mam is trying its best to get it back so that musicians can start benefiting.
“They should just release it [equipment]. We have used all the protocol, we have approached the ministry but they have just been silent. We are now thinking of approaching the patron (President Muluzi) who provided the initial funds, to intervene,” said Chatepa.
Asked for his comment, Dossi said: “I’m sure even the President would not be happy to hear that the project he personally initiated to assist in the development of musicians and this country has stalled.”
The former minister also wondered why all the projects he initiated, including one to build a theatre, have since stalled.
“I am surprised that the equipment which was supposed to be up and running by now has not yet been installed when it was just supposed to be a matter of installation. An engineer from South Africa was ready to come and do the job,” said Dossi.
Minister of Youth, Sports and Culture Henderson Mabeti also expressed his concern on the delay but wondered why Mpaluko, who had promised him that the equipment would be installed by last November, had still not yet done so.
“I was actually just inquiring from the acting commissioner for culture Dr [Elizabeth] Gomani on whether Mpaluko has installed the equipment or not because I can hear the outcry of musicians in the country,” said Mabeti.
On her part, Gomani said “ We are currently investigating the issue following complaints from the musicians because we [ministry] left the equipment in the hands of the trust fund,” she said.
She could not, however, explain how long the investigations would take or how far they have gone with the investigations.
Mpaluko is on record to have admitted keeping the equipment at his house for “safe keeping” and dismissed any fears of ill-intention.
Meanwhile, the space — previously used as an auditorium — allocated for the recording studio at the Chichiri Museum in Blantyre remains sealed, waiting for the equipment.
Mpaluko, who could not be reached on the phone, is on record as having said he keeping the equipment for safe keeping.
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