Artists calls out on SAMRO For Payments. Image: Music in Africa.
(The Post News)– A scheduled press conference by the Southern African Music Rights Organisation (SAMRO) turned chaotic on September 10 when a group of disgruntled musicians disrupted the event, demanding unpaid royalties and greater transparency.
The media briefing, held at the Garden Court Hotel in Milpark, Johannesburg, was originally meant to address internal disputes and the recent suspension of SAMRO’s Chief Operations Officer, Mpho Mofikoe, who faces allegations related to disclosing fraudulent activities within the organization. However, the event quickly spiraled into disorder as veteran musicians stormed the venue, voicing long-standing grievances against the rights body.
Artists such as Mercy Pakela, known for the hit “Ayashisa Amateki”; Sithembile Zungu of the renowned 80s group Dalom Kids; and William Mthethwa, famous for singles like “Give Me Your Love” and “Cost of Living Is Too High,” led the protest. They accused Samro of owing them significant amounts in unpaid royalties and criticized the organization for a lack of transparency and accountability.
“This is affecting our lives,” Pakela told reporters during the disruption. “There’s rampant corruption at Samro, and whenever someone tries to hold the board accountable, they get sidelined or removed. Samro belongs to us, the musicians, not the executives.”
William Mthethwa, a Samro member for five decades, claimed the organization owes him over R2 million in royalties for 564 registered songs. He expressed frustration over what he described as years of neglect and mismanagement.
Joining the protest were musicians Owen Ndlovu, Tshepo Mashiane, Mfanafuthi, Nico Dumakude, and Tebogo Sithathu, all of whom echoed similar concerns. Mashiane revealed that he had to re-register with SAMRO after discovering that his information had inexplicably disappeared from their system. Mashiane and others further alleged that royalty distributions are being manipulated to favor insiders. “Some publishers sit on the board and are benefiting while ordinary musicians are left out,” he claimed.
Responding to the protest, Samro board chairperson Nicholas Maweni acknowledged the disruption but defended the organization’s operations. “We distribute millions of rand to members,” he said. “However, some of the artists’ music is simply not receiving airplay, which impacts their royalties.”
Samro CEO Annabelle Lebethe also addressed the ongoing concerns. She confirmed that the board had reinstated some previously suspended members following due process and insisted that the organization remains committed to serving its members. “We are actively managing the copyrights entrusted to us, and our goal remains to act in the best interest of all our members,” Lebethe said. “We are operational, licensing music, and distributing funds accordingly.”
Samro Highlights Recent Financial Success
Despite the outcry, Samro highlighted recent financial successes. In December 2024, the organization announced its highest-ever revenue figures and lowest cost-to-income (CTI) ratio in a decade. Company licensing revenue rose by 15.2%, from R593.7 million in 2023 to R683.8 million in 2024.
Additionally, Samro reported a record-high R429 million in royalty distributions to members during the 2023/2024 financial year, a 63.8% increase compared to the previous year. Lebethe described this financial performance as a foundation for Samro’s revised growth strategy, with a newly increased revenue target of R1.2 billion by 2028. Still, these numbers did little to calm artists who feel left behind.
As Samro faces a police investigation over alleged corruption and financial mismanagement involving R3.4 million, questions about governance, transparency, and fair treatment continue to mount. Many musicians say they won’t rest until they see meaningful reforms and, more importantly, the royalties they are owed.
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