In a progressive move that consolidates its commitment to building strong institutions within the Arts, SAMRO has entered into a cooperation and support agreement with Composers Association of South Africa (CASA), Music Managers Forum of South Africa (MMFSA) and Academic and Non-Fiction Authors of South Africa (ANFASA).

“SAMRO believes in the development of strong arts industry organisations and consequently the growth of the creative industries sector, especially the music sector.” said SAMRO CEO, Nick Motsatse on the auspicious occasion of signing the Agreements. He said this will be accomplished under the banner of the “SENA Stakeholder Hub”, which is a SAMRO initiative aimed at contributing to institutional and leadership development in the arts by supporting the growth of viable and stable cultural and creative industry organisations.

“In the time that ANFASA has been supported by the SAMRO Stakeholder Hub it has grown substantially and offered more services and benefits to its members” said Kundayi Masanzu, director of ANFASA. ANFASA is a member-driven association aiming to uphold and enhance the profile and status of academic and non-fiction authors in South Africa, through advocating for the recognition of their works and protection of their rights, in collaboration and cooperation with all stakeholders in the value chain. For more information please visit: www.anfasa.org.za

CASA was represented by its chairperson Mr. Musa Manzini who added: “we are elated that finally this agreement has been signed, as areas of common interests and discussion have long been identified and discussed.” CASA is an association serving music composers in Southern Africa which aims to promote and protect the rights of its members. It strives towards informing members about their rights and obligations as creators of music works as defined in the South African Copyright Law; and to promote the composition and publication of music. CASA offers information, advice and assistance to music composers as well as encourages the personal development of aspiring and emerging composers and songwriters. For more information please visit: www.composers.co.za

Tholsi Pillay, chairperson of MMFSA, also echoed these positive sentiments and said: “this agreement would positively impact on the growth of MMFSA and its role in developing high standards in music and artists management practice in South Africa.” MMFSA is a formally constituted body that represents music managers in South Africa. It enables them to speak with one voice and effectively lobby government as well as other institutions impacting on the creative industries for support and development. It is representative at trade fairs and international bodies such as the International Music Manager’s Forum; and to contribute to the development of leadership and arts management across the music industry value chain. For more information please visit: www.mmfsa.co.za

Motsatse went on to say: “the collaboration and support for these organisations will contribute to an environment wherein strong cultural organisations may robustly engage each other in a constructive and structured manner.”

The SENA Stakeholder Hub will facilitate a nurturing environment for a select group of emerging and established arts organisations by offering space and services at a nominal rate as well as institutional and organisational development support. This will in turn contribute to strengthening of the South African music industry and more broadly the South African Creative Industries.

For media inquiries and photographs please contact Ayob Vania on 011 788-7631 or media@jtcomms.co.za

Issued by JT COMMUNICATION SOLUTION on behalf of SAMRO Endowment