The South African Broadcasting Corporation (SABC) will be paying artists a bit more for playing their music on radio.
This comes after a week after the state broadcaster decided to introduce a 90% local music quota on all its 18 radio stations.
Earlier this year, Don Laka caused a stir on social media when he lambasted the SABC for paying millions to play international music, while neglecting local artists.
Following a meeting with he Southern African Music Rights Organisation, South African Music Performance Rights Association, Independent Music Performance Rights Association and Association of Independent Record Companies, the SABC decided to increase royalty payments from 3% to 4%.
SABC’s Chief Operations Officer Hlaudi Motsoeneng said in a statement: “This move is meant to stimulate the music industry, through creating jobs and unearthing new talent. The SABC also wants to restore the dignity of creatives to move away from a situation of creatives in the music industry dying as paupers. The SABC will set a budget to honour SA music legends such as Babsy Mlangeni, Steve Kekana and Letta Mbuli and those that have passed on amongst others for their contribution to the industry. This once- off recognition payment will be in July.”
The move will ensure more money goes back into the pockets of SA artists who have been getting a raw deal all these years.
Arthur Mafokate, representing SAMRO stated “We are very excited and looking forward to artists’ lives changing. We have waited for 30 years for this and we would like to thank the SABC team led by the COO, Mr. Hlaudi Motsoeneng.”