The Copyright Society of Malawi (COSOMA) has constructed and handed over a cultural heritage hub at Kwenje Village in Dowa District, using resources from the Copyright Fund. The hub, built in partnership with the Human Power Organisation, is designed to serve as a permanent home for cultural activities, traditional arts, and community heritage programmes in the area.
A Community That Champions Culture
Human Power Organisation President Innocent Gondwe explained that the project began with a search for communities that genuinely champion culture. The people of Kwenje Village in Dowa demonstrated that passion, and the Copyright Fund made it possible to support them with infrastructure. Gondwe indicated that the partners hope to expand the model to other villages in Dowa in the future.
Speaking at the handover ceremony, Group Village Head Kayedzekeka described the hub as a welcome development for a community that holds culture dearly. He noted that traditional practices are slowly deteriorating among younger generations, and expressed confidence that the new hub will help revive and preserve those customs for future generations.
What the Hub Will Be Used For
The heritage hub will serve as a venue for a range of cultural activities — including traditional drumming, dancing, choral performances, and artisanal works. It will also be used to teach children about local traditions and customs, creating a living space for cultural education and heritage transmission.
Copyright Fund’s Cultural Mandate
COSOMA Head of Human Resources and Administration Pheston Chikankheni noted that COSOMA’s mandate through the Copyright Fund includes the conservation, preservation, and promotion of Malawian culture within the copyright framework. The Fund is financed through levies on performances, sound recordings, broadcasts, and digital storage media, and is administered in accordance with the Public Audit Act and the Public Finance Management Act.
The heritage hub in Dowa is one of several initiatives supported by the Copyright Fund across the country. For information on how to apply for Copyright Fund support, visit cosoma.mw.
