Africa: the sleeping lion rises
Theft comes in many forms. The Minority World’s efforts to frustrate the Majority World’s control of its natural resources are well known. But cultural resources have been plundered as well.
Take the case of Solomon Linda, a Zulu herder who died in 1962 with $25 in his bank account. He recorded a melody called ‘Mbube’ in 1939. His tune became ‘The Lion Sleeps Tonight’ which, according to journalist Rian Malan, has generated at least $15 million dollars in royalties. Incorporated into the Disney film ‘The Lion King’, the song has been recorded many times by various artists. Now Owen Dean – South Africa’s foremost copyright attorney – is seeking to restore to Africa what is Africa’s, suing the Disney Corporation on behalf of Mr Linda’s estate. Linda had three daughters: a nurse in an HIV clinic, a domestic servant in Soweto, and an unemployed mother of two. They live in shacks. Disney, always wholesome on the surface, has responded with a series of highly technical and bloodless legal parries, but the family has succeeded in securing a small trickle of money from Abilene Music, which administers the copyright. The suit continues, and has generated support from Afrophiles worldwide.
The lion, it would seem, is waking up.
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Voices from the margins:
Multimedia: video, podcasts, and more.
- Poetry Slam in Zimbabwe
- The House of Hunger poetry slam held in Zimbabwe in 2006, and organised by the Pamberi Trust, showcased young artists performing inspirational work on issues from corporate power to child soldiers. The video features four of the poets.
Published by Pambazuka News.
- Iranian women speak out
- 3 March 2007, London. Women's rights activists marched through the English capital last week to celebrate International Women's Day with a protest against the misogyny of the Islamic regime in Iran and the threat of invasion by the US. Hear the voices of Iranian feminists Azar and Leila Parnian and the sounds of the demonstration as it passed through the heart of the city. Click here to learn more about the campaign.
Produced by Heidi Bachram.
- Raised Voices audio:
- Benny from West Papua on Corporate Power
- Vinayan from India on agriculture
