Also known as: The Namibian Society of Composers and Authors of Music · Namibian Society of Composers and Authors of Music · Namibia Society of Composers and Authors of Music
Nascam — the Namibian Society of Composers and Authors of Music, responsible for collecting and distributing royalties to local musicians and administering copyright protections.
Key points drawn from coverage. Tap a point to see the original sentence.
The Namibian
Nascam allegedly failed to pay royalties to some artists
“These include reports of operating without critical policies for over 26 years, allegedly failing to pay royalties to some artists, and internal disputes over employee contracts.”
Five Years Without the NAMAsThe Namibian
Nascam failed to hold election of new board of directors and provide detailed financial reports
“According to Nascam chief executive officer John Max, this year's AGM was a relative success although the AGM failed to hold the election of new board of directors and to provide detailed financial reports to its members.”
Nascam AGM Fails to Elect New BoardThe Namibian
Nascam allegedly paid a member 78 cents
“In The Namibian I saw an article stating Nascam has paid a member 78 cents.”
‘Damaloki' Is More Than Music – Damara DikdingAnna Afrikaner, lead singer of Gobabis-based band People's Choice known for the song 'Don't Look Back' (also called 'Siwelewele'), made a major public appearance at the 'Ma /Gaisa Meets Oviritje' concert at Bobby Sissing Stadium at Khomasdal after years away from the stage. She reflects on her regrets about pursuing music as a sole career and is stepping back into the spotlight.
8 August 2026 · The Namibian →
Anna Afrikaner, lead singer of Gobabis-based band People's Choice known for the song 'Don't Look Back' (also called 'Siwelewele'), made a major public appearance at the 'Ma /Gaisa Meets Oviritje' concert at Bobby Sissing Stadium at Khomasdal after years away from the stage. She reflects on her regrets about pursuing music as a sole career and is stepping back into the spotlight.
8 August 2026 · The Namibian →
When younger artists record covers of forgotten masterpieces by legendary musicians, the original songwriters earn royalties again. The article argues that Namibia's radio stations prioritize newer music, leaving older artists without income; Nascam (the Namibian Society of Composers and Authors of Music) can only distribute royalties where music is actually licensed and played.
8 August 2026 · The Namibian →
The Namibian publishes a comedic essay depicting the chaotic, improvisational process by which a Namibian artist and studio crew might accidentally produce a hit song in a makeshift Windhoek studio, with minimal planning or artistic intent.
2 August 2026 · The Namibian →
The Namibian reports that Namibia's traditional music communities are systematically excluded from commercial benefits when their ancestral songs and rituals are recorded and licensed by outsiders, receiving minimal compensation while those with recording equipment profit from their heritage.
18 July 2026 · The Namibian →
Namibian musicians have welcomed a new global labelling system introduced by the International Federation of the Phonographic Industry to classify sound recordings as either "AI-generated" or "AI-assisted", saying it could improve transparency, strengthen copyright protection, and help listeners distinguish between human-created and AI-generated music.
18 July 2026 · The Namibian →
The newly confirmed board of the Namibian Society of Composers and Authors of Music has outlined plans to increase revenue to N$15 million, reduce administrative costs from 62% to 30%, and improve member benefits over the next three years. Joseph Ailonga was confirmed as board chairperson.
11 July 2026 · The Namibian →
A musician argues that Namibian performers recorded by the South West African Broadcasting Corporation before independence received no payment for their work and continue to receive nothing, since the broadcaster failed to properly document their names and details, leaving royalties uncollected when recordings are logged as 'unknown' in the Nascam system.
11 July 2026 · The Namibian →
A two-year Nascam-UNESCO partnership will invest N$1.7 million into research, copyright reform, and digital innovation in Namibia's music industry. The initiative will map the music sector across all 14 regions, establish a national evidence base, develop an online copyright platform, and support copyright education and policy dialogue.
9 July 2026 · The Namibian →
The Namibia Society of Composers and Authors of Music (Nascam) held its annual general meeting on 27 June, where Joseph Ailonga (Jossy Joss) retained his position, and the organisation secured a N$1.5m UNESCO grant.
3 July 2026 · Namibian Sun →
The Namibian Society of Composers and Authors of Music says funeral operators may require licences to play music during services or while transporting the deceased, as copyright law applies to public performance of music under Namibia's Copyright and Neighbouring Rights Protection Act.
1 July 2026 · The Namibian →
The Namibian Society of Composers and Authors of Music has retained its current board for a three-year term and approved governance, operational, and member welfare reforms to strengthen copyright administration and royalty collections. The organisation also approved launch of a capacity-building centre funded by a US$93,730 Unesco grant, scheduled to begin in July.
29 June 2026 · The Namibian →
The Namibian Society of Composers and Authors of Music is heading toward its annual general meeting on 27 June following a turbulent period that included the termination of its chief executive. An interim board appointed in August 2025 is steering constitutional reforms, with former board member Mac-Donald Vihanga calling on artists to participate directly in shaping the organisation's future governance.
28 May 2026 · The Namibian →
Nascam's former chief executive Albert Nicanor says he is considering legal action after being dismissed following disciplinary and appeal findings against him. Nicanor rejects the disciplinary process, claiming it violated his rights and did not meet the standards of fairness required under Namibian labour law.
13 May 2026 · The Namibian →
The Namibian Society of Composers and Authors of Music's board has fired chief executive Albert Nicanor following a disciplinary process that found him guilty of gross insubordination, fraud, dishonesty, and negligent and unauthorised use of a company vehicle. Acting chief executive Ferdinand Gertze will remain in the position until a substantive appointment is made.
11 May 2026 · The Namibian →
The Ministry of Education, Innovation, Youth, Sport, Arts and Culture has invited industry stakeholders to help shape the return of the Namibian Annual Music Awards (NAMAs), which have been dormant since MTC withdrew funding in 2020. A stakeholder engagement session is scheduled for 14 March to strengthen the awards' credibility and gather input on award categories, industry development needs, and future direction.
10 March 2026 · The Namibian →
The Namibian Society of Composers and Authors of Music has defended its royalty distribution system after a parliament member questioned reports of local musicians earning as little as N$2 per broadcast play. Nascam says the figure is not a fixed rate but is calculated based on total royalties collected from music users and distributed through an automated system, though it acknowledges a need to amend legislation to better address digital platforms and online usage.
2 March 2026 · The Namibian →
Namibian musicians earn as little as N$2 per broadcast play, a rate unchanged since independence, according to MP Frederick Shitana. He called for a national International Standard Recording Code (ISRC) system to help local artists earn from digital platforms and said Namibia's reliance on South Africa for ISRC registration disadvantages creators.
26 February 2026 · The Namibian →
The ||Kharas Regional Council has appointed Megameno Shikongo as acting chief regional officer for three months, following the arrest of former acting CRO Ralph Sachika on fraud, forgery, money laundering and corruption charges. The council is awaiting approval from the Public Service Commission to appoint a substantive CRO by 1 April.
13 February 2026 · The Namibian →
Swart Baster has renewed calls for binding local music quotas on Namibian radio stations, arguing that limited airplay is undermining local artists' incomes. According to Nascam interim board chairperson Joseph Ailonga, broadcasters are being consulted to revise the broadcasting code of conduct, with some indicating willingness to increase local content to 70–90%.
4 February 2026 · The Namibian →
At 18, Willias Nghitotelwa (Mapuzza) is among a wave of Namibian artists building momentum from outside established centres. Despite challenges accessing studios, radio play, and digital distribution platforms, he gained breakthrough with his song 'Mr Driver' through organic social media circulation and plans to release more music by end of February.
21 January 2026 · The Namibian →
Two musicians from Katima Mulilo and Kavango East describe the challenges of building music careers outside Namibia's main industry hubs, citing expensive studio time, difficulty affording professional videos, and limited promotion access, though one has gained recent online traction and another has achieved national recognition after years of persistence.
6 January 2026 · The Namibian →
Two musicians from outside Namibia's main music hubs—DJ Vuyo from Katima Mulilo and UGEE from Kavango East—describe the obstacles facing rural artists, including expensive studio time, costly professional promotion, and years of struggle before gaining national recognition. Both say persistence, self-funding, and remaining opportunity-ready have been key to building their careers.
6 January 2026 · The Namibian →