By Rinelda Mouton
According to records at the Namibian Society of Composers and Authors of Music (NASCAM) during the 2025 distribution period, the lowest payment of around N$ 9.59 was made, while the highest-paid member received around N$ 16,800.
In the past a local artist once received a payment of N$4 from NASCAM.
NASCAM noted it has not yet made performance return schedule (PRS) submissions mandatory for all music users. However, this requirement will be enforced in the near future to ensure comprehensive data capture. PRS stands for, a document used by NASCAM to track live music performances.
NASCAM chairperson of the board of directors, Joseph Ailonga said NASCAM paid out a total of N$ 2.53 million for the 2025 distribution, with 10 percent allocated to the NASCAM development fund. This is the standard collective management organization (CMO) practice globally.
These funds are designed to assist in the development and promotion of Namibian music, as well as to support members during difficult times, such as providing a grant toward funeral costs in the event of a member’s passing.
Ailonga said the full policy for the fund is currently being revised to identify additional areas where the fund can support members.
He said for now, the primary focus remains on workshops and funeral assistance.
Ailonga said the biggest challenge that NASCAM faces is the low distributable amount, which ultimately results in small payouts for each member.
He adds that incomplete data, such as missing song titles or artist names is another challenge.
“The primary issue is that members fail to register their works, which could otherwise increase their royalty distributions. This is why you often hear a song playing on every radio station yet receive nothing, because the track is not registered in the system to trigger payment. The system simply marks it as “unregistered” or “unallocated,” meaning many popular artists are losing money as a result,” Ailonga explained.
Ailonga encourages music users to pay their music copyright licenses.
Award-winning, internationally acclaimed artist Riaan Smit said he has never received a payment from NASCAM throughout his about 20-year career.
The artist has so far released more than 120 songs.
Smit said when he previously questioned NASCAM about his royalties, he was told that it had collected N$14.
“For comparison, my royalties from the rest of the world average approximately R30,000 per year. These royalties come through my international and South African collection arrangements,” Smit said.
He further said that musicians deserve to know that when their music is played, their rights are respected, the appropriate licensing fees are collected, and the royalties due to them are properly accounted for and paid.
“I have previously described NASCAM as a scam. That reflects the depth of my frustration and the loss of confidence I have experienced. As a Namibian musician, I am grateful that I registered with Broadcast Music, Inc. (BMI) in the United States and The South African Music Rights Organisation (SAMRO). These registrations provide routes through which my music can earn royalties outside Namibia. Others should investigate their options,” he said.
Folklore artist Lela said he has not received any payment from NASCAM. He said he has been putting in claims forms since 2024 and have not received anything from NASCAM until today.
He stresses that the challenges he is experiencing with NASCAM is about payment and the lack of assistance.
“It seems like there is not someone who is able to sort our issues out about payments. The office keeps giving excuses that payments for other years cannot be made, due to the fact that we have not claimed it within a certain period of time. Apparently the only payment that will be made will be for the past three years, but they are still failing to pay these three current years payment,” Lela said.
Award-winning Gospel musician Naftali Amukwelele, popularly known as D-Naff, said the last time he received was N$4 about five years ago.
He adds that N$15 000 was the highest amount he had received thus far.
“NASCAM should get to work. NASCAM should get into partnership with the Government to force radio stations to play Namibian music,” D-Naff said.
Afro-Jazz/traditional/folk singer Erna Chimu said her last payment received was N$ 3,445.75 in 2025.
She said so far the highest amount she has received was N$ 18, 000 in 2015.
“As a previous chairperson and board member of NASCAM I know the challenges. If we work together by sharing ideas that can improve NASCAM, then our lives as artists will only get better,” Erna Chimu said.
