A New Dawn for ZIMURA: Artists Secure Historic Quorum to Force EGM

Gift Amuli, Joseph Garakara, Dereck Mpofu

HARARE — After years of boardroom skirmishes, vanishing figures, and the infamous “Calculator Crisis,” the artists have finally moved from the studio to the courtroom. In a massive victory for transparency, the power of the quorum has officially overridden the power of the gatekeepers.

In a move that has sent shockwaves through 102 Mendel Road, ousted board members Dereck Mpofu, Gift Amuli, and Joseph Garakara have formally filed for an Extraordinary General Meeting (EGM). Under the association’s bylaws, ZIMURA leadership is now under a 21-day countdown to convene the meeting. This isn't just a procedural win; it is a full-scale reclamation of the institution by its rightful owners.

The Road to the Quorum: A Fire Kept Burning

While the current headlines focus on the filing trio, this victory is the culmination of a decade of scorched-earth advocacy. The "celebratory but cautious" mood in the streets of Harare tells a story of a torch passed through many bloodied hands.

The struggle for this moment was built on the back of the "raw fight" brought by the likes of Hwenje, and the early, lonely dissent of Professor Fred Zindi and Clive Malunga. It was carried through the relentless policy-driven push of Edith WeUtonga and the Zimbabwe Union of Musicians (ZIMU), and fueled by the technical exposés of Fred Finto and even the contentious, persistent pressure from Phillip Chipfumbu.

But special mention must be reserved for the combative Lazzie T. Long before it was fashionable or "safe" to speak out, Lazzie T was the firebrand who refused to whisper. His aggressive, unapologetic stance against boardroom capture provided the friction necessary to keep the movement alive when others were tempted by the "sitting allowances" of silence. His presence in this struggle reminds us that sometimes, you don't just need a negotiator; you need a warrior who isn't afraid to kick down the door.

The Impasse: A House Divided

Currently, ZIMURA exists as a house divided. On one side, the reformist bloc; on the other, the remaining elected members First Farai, Hon. Dingumuzi Phuti, and Alexio “Goodchild” Gwenzi. The EGM aims to break this deadlock, dissolve the current leadership crisis, and elect a board that understands that "Information" is a right, not a secret to be hoarded.

Advice to Musicians: Unity Over Ego

As we approach the 21-day window, the Southerton Business Times offers a word of caution: Unity is your only shield.

1. Reject Glory-Hunting: This victory belongs to the collective effort of everyone—from Zindi to Lazzie T to Hwenje. Beware of anyone claiming to be the "sole savior" to secure a new seat.

2. Focus on the V11s: The EGM will be a battlefield of data. Demand audited financials that reconcile the contradictory $450k and $1.2M figures touted in recent podcasts.

3. Institutional Overhaul: Simply swapping faces isn't enough. The goal is to slash the 33% administrative cost bottleneck that has left artists receiving "peanut" royalties.

The Verdict

The march from Belgravia was the intro; the EGM is the main chorus. For the first time in a generation, the "pigs" of ZIMURA’s Animal Farm are being asked to account to the yard. Musicians, keep the fire burning, but keep your eyes on the ballot. This is your moment to turn the "Calculator Crisis" into a "Transparency Triumph."

ZIMURA EGM 2026