Local artists have come out to express their lack of confidence in the leadership of the Namibian Society of Authors and Composers of Music (Nascam).
This follows Nascam’s announcement to pay out N$1,7 million in royalties to local and international creatives.
The announcement was made by Nascam’s chief executive Albert Nicanor in Windhoek on Friday.
Kamaizemi Hoveka, known to most as KP-Ilest, says he as well as other local artists have become indifferent to issues pertaining to Nascam.
“I have never benefited from the royalties paid out by Nascam ever since I registered as an artist,” he says.
Hoveka says there is a need to revisit the structures that govern the organisation.
“I think the managing mechanisms of the organisation are currently not working for most of us as artists,” he says.
Additionally, Hoveka says the ineffectiveness of the organisation may be attributed to the leadership focusing on issues that are not in the interest of the organisation and its members.
Hoveka says there is a need for transparency with the way things are done at Nascam.
“We don’t even know what processes were followed in the appointment of the new chief executive, how experienced he is in the creative industry and how he aims to make the organisation better,” he says.
He says he would be pleasantly surprised if he is to benefit from royalties to be paid out this year, however, he has no hope for that to be the case.
Wilbard Niilenge, popularly known as King Elegant, says he has also never benefited from royalties paid by Nascam since he registered as an artist.
“I registered with Nascam in 2015, and I have never been paid anything to date,” he says.
Niilenge says the systems and processes of the organisation are not “relatable”.
“I am part of the Namibian music industry, and I would highly appreciate it if Nascam recognised me with the royalties to be paid soon, however, there is no sweat, even if they don’t. We are already used to it,” he says.
On Friday, Nicanor acknowledged that the organisation relied on directives, highlighting that there were no policies in place to govern the organisation.
“As the head of the institution, I have to ensure the implementation of the identified policies,” he said. – unWrap.online
Leave a Reply