The newly confirmed board of the Namibian Society of Composers and Authors of Music (Nascam) has outlined plans to boost royalty collections, cut administrative costs and improve governance over the next three years.
This comes after members endorsed the former interim leadership to serve a full three-year term.
Joseph Ailonga was confirmed as board chairperson at the society’s annual general meeting, alongside vice chairperson Shinana Nghixulifwa and board members Martin Morocky, popularly known as King Tee Dee, Ripuree Katamila, Bertholdt Mbinda, Gertrude Brandt and Steven Naruseb.
Patricia Ochurus and Janice Mumbangala were appointed as advisory, non-voting members to support leadership continuity.
Ailonga says the organisation would focus on improving its financial position while delivering greater value to members.
“Our top priority is to increase revenue to N$15 million while reducing administrative costs from 62% to 30%, in line with international standards. We will refine and develop policies to ensure they remain fully compliant with both national laws and international standards. We will become more member-centric by enhancing our communication and improving member benefits, including capacity building,” he says.
Administrative costs and royalty distributions have been recurring concerns among members, with some artists questioning why they receive little or no royalties despite being registered with the collective management organisation.
Ailonga attributes the issue to several factors, including creators failing to register their work properly, broadcasters not submitting playlists or paying licence fees, and music not receiving sufficient airplay to generate royalties.
“Our strategy is to engage broadcasters to emphasise the importance of music licence fees and playlist submissions. If these engagements do not yield results, we will pursue legal action, which will prove more costly for them than simple compliance. Simultaneously, we will educate members on the necessity of notifying their works,” he says.
The board also aims to increase annual revenue to N$15 million within two years while capping operational expenditure at N$6 million. According to Ailonga, this would allow Nascam to distribute 70% of its collections to rights holders.
To improve collections, the organisation plans to strengthen music licensing across the country by reviewing tariffs, expanding enforcement and appointing regional licensing officers.
“Stakeholder engagement is essential to create awareness, but we must have a robust licensing plan in place. We are currently developing this plan, gathering data, and reviewing our tariffs.
“We have many tariff categories that have never generated revenue due to a lack of enforcement; we will determine which of these are the best focus areas for immediate results. Additionally, we plan to employ licensing officers in key regions to assist with collection efforts,” he says.
Ailonga has also addressed concerns that international artists often receive larger royalty payments than Namibian musicians, saying local music needs greater exposure.
He says Nascam will engage broadcasters to increase local music quotas, encourage DJs to play more Namibian music, support stronger government policies promoting local content and implement a national music promotion strategy.
The organisation is also preparing to recruit a new chief executive following the dismissal of the former one.
Ailonga says a committee would oversee the recruitment process to ensure transparency throughout.
On recent staff disputes, he says the matter had been resolved and that employees were motivated and supportive of the board.
Looking ahead, Ailonga says the board wants its success to be measured through tangible improvements rather than promises.
“Having increased income and member benefits, while reducing administrative costs and maintaining a highly efficient team,” Ailonga says.
The board’s programme comes as Nascam seeks to rebuild confidence among members through stronger governance, improved collections and higher royalty distributions for Namibian music creators.
