The Namibian Society of Composers and Authors of Music (Nascam) is pleading with its members to ensure they have bank accounts to ensure a smooth payment system.

The organisation’s CEO, Albert Nicanor, said they have signed up with the newly-launched MTC Maris system, a flexible and cost-effective solution for paying MTC-registered and active users. This will enable them to make royalty payments to members.

“Most of our members do not have bank accounts, and those who do often need to apply for new accounts each year. Since we pay royalties annually, we must verify with banks whether the accounts used the previous year are still active,” he said.

Nicanor said for the 2023 royalties, which were paid retrospectively in 2024, the Nascam Board of Directors approved payment of N$2.3 million.

“Since 20 December 2024, we have paid N$468 468 to 311 local members only. The remaining balance is to be paid to both local and international society members,” he detailed.

Nicanor stated they are a voluntary collective management organisation with a mandate to represent authors, composers and publishers of music.

“Our strategic objective is to secure mandates for producers, performers and rightsholders of mechanical rights in 2025,” he said.

The total registered membership of Nascam is 6 877.

-psiririka@nepc.com.na