Promote good morals, musicians urged
MUSICIANS should compose songs that will teach the public good morals and values acceptable in Zambia, Kalumbila District Commissioner Robinson Kalota has said.
Meanwhile, Mr Kalota has challenged parents to take keen interest in knowing the type of music their children listen to because music was an important role in shaping one’s thoughts and behaviour.
The DC was speaking at the launch of the Umulonga Album released by the King David Vessels of Praise Team of the United Church of Zambia (UCZ) Trinity Congregation-Solwezi.
Mr Kalota said it was imperative that musicians produced music that promoted good morals and values in society to help shape public perception appropriately.
He said it was saddening to see a wide range of songs on the market that were not adding any value
to society.
"So, I am challenging you especially the Gospel musicians to take up the mantle and produce music that will build the nation," he said.
He also advised artists to ensure that they protected their music from being pirated in order to fully benefit from their talent.
Mr Kalota said most musicians, film, drama and theatre artistes had suffered a setback in their artistic business due to piracy.
"And this resulted in both the artistes and Government losing huge sums of money because of piracy," he said.
He reaffirmed Government’s commitment to supporting the music industry through various empowerment programmes.
Mr Kalota said that several artists were yet to benefit from the K30 million presidential youth empowerment fund, targeting artistes across the country.
He encouraged King David Vessels of Praise and other musicians to ensure that they registered their music with ZAMCORPS to avoid other people claiming ownership of their artistic work.
And speaking earlier, King David Praise Team patron, Lewis Mavuka, thanked Mr Kalota for accepting the invitation to grace the launch of the Umulonga album.
Mr Mavuka said that the praise team has 65 membership whose desire is to continue spreading the word of God through praise and worship.