The late Riecks Morake gets more royalties

| Thursday February 13, 2014 20:07

 

Riecks who died in January 2012, received the highest amount of money, proving that his music is still receiving considerable airplay, more especially from Radio Botswana (RB1). The star died at the age of 80.

Riecks who started his music career in the 1960s has composed many songs. Those who do not know who Riecks, he is the owner of the song which is used by RB1 for its Temo Thuo program. The song encourages listeners to pay attention to ‘Temo Thuo’ program.

‘Batswana reetsang, Reetsang tsamaiso ya tsa temo thuo’, are Riecks’ lyrics from the song specifically composed for the program.

Everyone who listens to RB1 will most definitely remember these lyrics “Seromamowa sa rona mo Botswana, se naya chaba tsoltlhe lesedi,” which is another one of Riecks’ masterpieces.

Perhaps Riecks’ insight to compose songs for specific programs and for the first state radio station in the country, is the thing that helped his music to receive the highest royalties, as the songs are guaranteed to receive airplay each time the program comes on.

The late Ricks was one of Botswana’s all time greatest musical composers whose legacy is still celebrated and has bequeathed Batswana.

A number of musicians also received their royalties on the day. The young and energetic Atasaone Molemogi aka A.T.I was awarded P11, 745, proving that his music is popular amongst local radio stations.

Clement Jackson received P10,457 in royalties while the queen of traditional music Olebile Sedumedi known as Maxy walked home P10,287 richer.

Minister of Trade and Industry Dorcus Makgato Malesu commended COSBOTS for ensuring that artists are taken care of and for their fight in ensuring that local music is not plagiarised. Malesu informed the gathering that, the amount of royalties distributed amounts to P1,920,336 adding that P3,080,364 has been set aside for subsequent distribution planned for July.

Malesu urged artists who have not registered with COSBOTS to do so in order for them to enjoy the fruits of their labour.

One of the popular musicians Ndingo Johwa said they welcome COSBOTS with open arms as artists, explaining that they are now proud and confident that royalties and the protection of intellectual properties is in place. He said that even though they would be smiling to the banks soon, royalties alone cannot sustain artists, adding that they have to earn a living through sales from their music and performances.