Artists turn up the volume on SAMRO, demand transparency and accountability

Tensions between local artists and the Southern African Music Rights Organisation (SAMRO) escalated on Thursday, as scores of musicians took to the streets of Johannesburg demanding transparency, accountability, and fair governance at the organisation.

Under the banner Artists Unite, and joined by ActionSA and the EFF, the demonstrators marched to SAMRO’s Braamfontein offices, accusing the organisation of mismanagement and failing to protect whistleblowers exposing corruption.

Law enforcement escorted the protestors as they chanted and held placards calling for urgent reform. The march followed an earlier picket in the week, during which artists delivered a memorandum of demands urging the SAMRO board to act swiftly on corruption allegations.

Addressing the crowd, ActionSA leader Herman Mashaba, warned SAMRO’s leadership that their time is running out.

The artists are demanding that SAMRO forfeit decades-long music royalties, alleging that the organisation has unlawfully profited at the expense of more than 25,000 members.  They have also accusde SAMRO of prioritising payments to music publishers over the artists themselves.

Recording artist, Nomsa Mazwai, also known as Nomi Supasta, said the dispute highlights a deeper crisis within South Africa’s arts and culture sector.

Mazwai also alleged that SAMRO collects around R1 billion annually but only distributes about 60% to artists.

A central demand from protesters is stronger protection for whistleblowers exposing corruption within the organisation. They are calling for immediate security measures for suspended COO Mpho Mofikoe, who raised concerns about alleged financial mismanagement. These claims were detailed in the Fundudzi Forensic Investigation Report, which uncovered misuse of COVID-19 relief funds and irregular royalty payments.

SAMRO CEO, Annabell Lebethe, accepted the Artists Unite memorandum outside the organisation’s offices, stating that Mofikoe was placed on precautionary suspension following preliminary findings of internal transgressions — while denying that the suspension was related to whistleblowing.

However, Artists Unite spokesperson, Jayshree Parasuramen, believes Mofikoe’s suspension amounts to an abuse of power.

The group has given SAMRO until 4 December to respond to their demands, warning that continued silence will escalate their protests.

We are marching to SAMRO with South Africa’s creative community, standing firm for fair music rights and justice for our artists.

Our musicians carry the sound of our nation, they deserve honesty, transparency, and fair treatment! pic.twitter.com/0CjN0GyfUI

— Herman Mashaba (@HermanMashaba) November 13, 2025

Sub-Region A, joined and supported the march in solidarity with artists and creatives against the capture and exploitation of the industry by SAMRO. The march aimed to demand transparency, fair compensation, and accountability in the management of artists’ royalties. pic.twitter.com/tUKvkgDRoV

— COJ EFF Sub-region A (@effsubregional) November 13, 2025

Written by: Lebohang Ndashe