Joburg musicians protest at SAMRO over unpaid royalties

Frustrated musicians staged a protest in the Johannesburg CBD on Thursday, demanding clarity on the status of their unpaid royalties.

The demonstration culminated at the offices of the South African Music Rights Organisation (SAMRO), where the artists handed over a memorandum of demands.

A harmonious chorus of artists could be heard on the streets of Joburg as the musicians marched to SAMRO’s offices, calling for justice for fellow artists who have long struggled with issues at the organisation.

The musicians asserted that SAMRO requires ethical governance, stating that its core objective is to protect the rights of artists. They further declared their stand against all forms of corruption that they say have affected artists for decades.

Musician Nomsa Mazwai spoke passionately about her personal experience, stating:

"When I came to claim my money that I rightfully owned, which they had collected, they told me my money had prescribed. Because SAMRO is very good at collecting artists' money, and they're terrible at paying artists their money. SAMRO collects close to a billion rand a year."

Mazwai added that musicians had reached the breaking point, having had enough of being "robbed of what belongs to them".

JOIN US ON WHATSAPP

Stay ahead of the story: Join our WhatsApp channel today.

Want breaking news at your fingertips, the moment it happens? Our WhatsApp Channel is the fastest way to stay connected with the stories that matter most.

From breaking news alerts to exclusive stories, analysis and must-read features - you’ll get it all directly on your phone.

Joining is simple.

Just click Follow on our WhatsApp Channel and stay informed.