JOHANNESBURG - The Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Southern African Music Rights Organisation (SAMRO), Reverend Abe Sibiya, announced today that the organisation's Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Mr. Nicholas Motsatse, will be stepping down from his role at the end of June this year. He will be replaced by the current Deputy CEO, Mr. Sipho Dlamini.

In announcing the changes Sibiya stated that Motsatse had informed him of his intention to step down during the latter part of last year. He said: "It is with a mixture of sadness and loss, yet again, a sense of appreciation for one of our great leaders who has decided over a considerable period of time to explore much of what life has to offer while there is sunshine. I therefore wish to announce to you that Mr Motsatse, our CEO and a Chairperson’s dream, has after much thought and discussion with his family reached the decision to bid SAMRO farewell." Sibiya also stated that Motsatse's decision was personal and had nothing to do with the changes in Chairmanship or any other matter related to SAMRO.

Commenting on his decision to step down, Motsatse said that he had given the matter a great deal of thought and it was not a decision taken lightly. 'I have had the privilege of working with a very competent and supportive Board and I could not ask for any better. My time at SAMRO will always be the highlight of my career as a manager and a leader. I however believe that the time is right for a new leadership to take this organisation to greater heights," he said.

The incoming CEO, Sipho Dlamini, joined SAMRO at the beginning of 2012 as GM: Marketing. He was promoted to the position of Deputy CEO at the beginning of 2013 to give him an opportunity to work closely with Motsatse. Commenting on his appointment Sibiya states: "Mr Dlamini is his own man, a thinker, an executive full of promise, articulate, precise and very well versed in this industry." He elaborated: "If we are to manage change well, then we all must believe in the wisdom of preparation and succession. SAMRO is a complicated organisation and so are its processes, relationships locally and internationally. It begs and calls for a man or woman who can fill the great shoes of previous SAMRO CEO’s with distinction as is the expected tradition."

"I am deeply honoured to have been given the opportunity to lead team SAMRO at this important juncture in its development. Having just passed the half a century mark as an organisation, I am fully aware of the challenges but also the opportunities lying ahead of SAMRO. It is therefore with a sense of excitement and anticipation that I accept this very important responsibility," said Dlamini.

The rapidly changing business environment, especially for the copyright and music industries, will mean that the new pair of Sibiya and Dlamini will be critical in steering the organisation through some major developments. Fortunately, the track records of both these gentlemen in the music industry and the global business environment will stand them in good stead.

NOTES TO THE EDITOR

The Southern African Music Rights Organisation (SAMRO) is a leading regional copyright administration business, dealing primarily with the administration of music composers’ and authors’ Performing Rights.

SAMRO was established in 1961 under the stewardship of Dr Gideon Roos Senior, to protect the intellectual property of composers and authors and to ensure that their creative output is adequately accredited and compensated both locally and internationally.

Today, SAMRO has grown into an internationally recognised collecting administration business representing more than 12 000 music creators. It has built up a solid reputation as the primary representative of music Performing Rights in Southern Africa, and is well respected among its global peers as a leading music rights society.

SAMRO Contact Details:

Switchboard: +27 11 712 8000
Fax: +27 (0) 86 682 0270

0800 247 247 (toll-free from Telkom landlines and for 8ta subscribers)

Email: 24-7@samro.org.za

Online:

Facebook: SAMROSouthAfrica
Twitter: @SAMROMusic
Website: www.samro.org.za

Issued by: JT Communication Solutions On Behalf of The Southern African Music Rights Organisation (SAMRO)

For media enquiries contact Vanessa on (011)7887632 / 0832681446 or vanessa@jtcomms.co.za