Nascam has announced major reforms and new leadership, aiming to strengthen its role despite recent staff tensions and delayed royalty payments.
The Namibian Society of Composers and Authors of Music (Nascam) announced this following its special annual general meeting (AGM) on 2 August.
The meeting saw members approve audited financial statements for the 2024 financial year, appoint an external auditor for another year, and elect an interim board to serve for 12 months.
Chief executive Albert Nicanor says the gathering marked “a turning point” for the organisation.
“With the right structures and the involvement of our members, we can strengthen Nascam’s role as a protector and promoter of Namibian creativity,” he says.
The interim board, which includes musicians Martin Morocky (King TeeDee), Joseph Ailonga (Jossy Joss) and Berthold Binda, will finalise constitutional amendments for presentation at a special AGM in February 2026.
An elective AGM is scheduled for April 2026 to elect a new board under the revised constitution.
The proposed changes include expanding Nascam’s mandate to cover mechanical and audiovisual rights, allowing it to represent performers, producers and record labels alongside composers and authors.
Membership will also be broadened to include two categories – associate (non-voting) and full (voting) members.
Associate members will be able to progress to full membership via a point-based system measuring years of active engagement with Nascam, quantity and quality of registered works, and economic activity in the music industry.
Nicanor says this will ensure “merit-based progression” and encourage “sustained creative output”.
To ensure inclusivity, Nascam will host constitutional amendment workshops in August, October and November this year, according to Nicanor.
INTERNAL TENSION
The reforms come against a backdrop of earlier tensions within Nascam, reported in the previous year. At the time, employees accused the organisation’s leadership of forcing them to sign new employment contracts, removing medical aid and annual bonuses, and making unilateral changes to their roles without consultation.
“Over the past months, there have been growing concerns among employees regarding various aspects, including and not limited to new employment contracts.
Employees were forced to sign changed contracts without proper negotiations,” a letter from staff members to the board reads.
Some employees alleged the removal of medical aid has negatively impacted their well-being and health security, and claimed they had been placed on unpaid leave despite being eligible for annual leave.
“We are really just tired of this new board. It needs to be removed with immediate effect, because ever since they took over, the organisation has not been the same,” one employee said at the time.
Others linked the disputes to delays in royalty payments.
“Usually artists get their money in December, but last year we were told that they will be getting their funds in January, but up to now only half of the beneficiaries have been paid,” an employee claimed.
There were also allegations of threats by the organisation’s management.
“If you don’t do what you are told to do, you are told to rather leave. We have a colleague who is currently on suspension for refusing to sign the contract. Is that really fair?” another staff member asked.
Responding at the time, Nicanor said: “The purported letter in question was directed to the board, and as such, it falls outside the scope of my authority.
Nascam adheres to a strict organisational structure. It is our policy to maintain the confidentiality of such matters, and there are established internal procedures for addressing them.
Therefore, even if I was in a position to answer them, I am not at liberty to discuss these topics.”
Former chairperson Sula Kyababa has also described the matter as “internal and administrative”, adding: “We are committed to transparency and accountability, and at the right time, the board will provide a comprehensive response based on the established organisational procedures.”
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