The Namibian Society of Composers and Authors of Music (Nascam) has confirmed the dismissal of its chief executive officer, Albert Nicanor, after he was being guilty of serious misconduct. 

In a statement issued on Monday, the Interim Board said Nicanor was terminated after an independent disciplinary hearing found him guilty of gross insubordination, fraud, dishonesty and the negligent and unauthorised use of a company vehicle. 

Interim Board Chairperson Joseph Ailonga said the decision was necessary in light of the findings. 

“The CEO position carries significant leadership and fiduciary responsibilities; when these standards are materially breached, the employment relationship becomes unsustainable,” he said. 

Ailonga confirmed that the Board appreciated Nicanor’s contributions since 2023 and said that Ferdinand Gertze will continue to serve as Acting CEO pending a substantive appointment. 

Nascam said the dismissal was upheld following an internal review process, which found the disciplinary proceedings and sanction to be fair and appropriate under the circumstances. 

In response, Nicanor expressed disappointment with the board’s decision, stating that the process was flawed. “I note the Board’s public announcement with deep disappointment, not because I fear scrutiny, but because the process followed was, in my considered view, fundamentally flawed, procedurally defective, and structured to achieve a predetermined outcome,” he said. 

Nicanor rejected the allegations of misconduct and questioned the fairness of the proceedings. He argued that changes to the charges during the disciplinary process raised concerns about procedural integrity. 

“It is important to state that my actions were consistently guided by recognised corporate governance principles,” he said, adding that disagreements during his tenure were related to governance and oversight matters rather than misconduct. 

He further maintained that the disciplinary process did not, in his view, reflect an independent fact-finding exercise. Musician Berthold Mbinda urged unity within the industry amid the leadership dispute at Nascam. 

“The biggest problem here is the division that we’re creating amongst one another. The industry is big enough to accommodate all of us.” 

The former CEO retains the right to appeal the decision in accordance with Nascam’s internal procedures. Nascam plays a key role in administering music copyright and royalty collections for composers and authors in Namibia. Industry stakeholders are expected to monitor the leadership transition and any governance implications arising from the matter. 

-isipunga@nepc.com.na