News / Africa
Prophet Makandiwa's pirated DvDs a hit in South Africa
15 Sep 2011 at 07:44hrs | Views
PROPHET Makandiwa might be based in Harare but his impact has jumped the border into South Africa if the rate at which his pirated DVDs are moving on the streets.
Informal traders at the popular Powerhouse international bus terminus are cashing in on desperate Zimbabweans living in South Africa who have shown a keen interest in joining the popular and ever-growing ministry. Titles that move briskly from the prophet include Discovering Our Star, Prodigal Spirit, Prophetic End, The Raven Must!, Crossing Over, Mupirisita WeHondo among others.
A copy sells for R10 regardless of whether it's a CD, DVD or MP3.
A vendor who wished to be identified only as Chido for fear of reprisals from fellow colleagues said business was brisk especially on the religious side.
It's a cat and mouse affair at the bus rank with local police officers who arrest the illegal vendors for piracy. So the vendors tread carefully to avoid being detected. As he sits down Chido opens his bagful of DVDs, MP3s and CDs of the prophet which he had special orders for. He had over 20 other sermons from the prophet.
Asked how they manage to make the copies Chido said: "I go back home very often like three times a month to get the originals. I have a computer at home here in Braamfontein (central Johannesburg). So ndinoabika ndega, any title that you want I can get," he said boastfully.
Chido revealed the late Apostolic Faith Mission Evangelist Chiweshe's DVDs and CDs were in high demand following his death. He said he has sold over 1 000 copies in the last 11 months he has been in business. The South African Department of Trade and Industry is currently running an anti-piracy campaign in the arts industry but it seems this has not deterred the merchants from their business.
Not only Prophet Makandiwa is the affected one, other titles that sell like hotcakes include Alick Macheso's Zvinoda Kutendwa, Sulumani Chimbetu's Non-Stop, Oliver Mtukudzi "MP3 Special", Winky Dee's Takaipa Takaipa and Gift Amuli's Machena. So poor quality are the DVDs and CDs that some irate customers come back for refunds or replacements. It's also risky business for customers as it could be difficult to identify who sold to you as there are over two dozen such vendors.
Wrong spellings and grammar on the DVDs is a common occurrence but customers care very little.
Informal traders at the popular Powerhouse international bus terminus are cashing in on desperate Zimbabweans living in South Africa who have shown a keen interest in joining the popular and ever-growing ministry. Titles that move briskly from the prophet include Discovering Our Star, Prodigal Spirit, Prophetic End, The Raven Must!, Crossing Over, Mupirisita WeHondo among others.
A copy sells for R10 regardless of whether it's a CD, DVD or MP3.
A vendor who wished to be identified only as Chido for fear of reprisals from fellow colleagues said business was brisk especially on the religious side.
It's a cat and mouse affair at the bus rank with local police officers who arrest the illegal vendors for piracy. So the vendors tread carefully to avoid being detected. As he sits down Chido opens his bagful of DVDs, MP3s and CDs of the prophet which he had special orders for. He had over 20 other sermons from the prophet.
Asked how they manage to make the copies Chido said: "I go back home very often like three times a month to get the originals. I have a computer at home here in Braamfontein (central Johannesburg). So ndinoabika ndega, any title that you want I can get," he said boastfully.
Chido revealed the late Apostolic Faith Mission Evangelist Chiweshe's DVDs and CDs were in high demand following his death. He said he has sold over 1 000 copies in the last 11 months he has been in business. The South African Department of Trade and Industry is currently running an anti-piracy campaign in the arts industry but it seems this has not deterred the merchants from their business.
Not only Prophet Makandiwa is the affected one, other titles that sell like hotcakes include Alick Macheso's Zvinoda Kutendwa, Sulumani Chimbetu's Non-Stop, Oliver Mtukudzi "MP3 Special", Winky Dee's Takaipa Takaipa and Gift Amuli's Machena. So poor quality are the DVDs and CDs that some irate customers come back for refunds or replacements. It's also risky business for customers as it could be difficult to identify who sold to you as there are over two dozen such vendors.
Wrong spellings and grammar on the DVDs is a common occurrence but customers care very little.
Source - Metro
