Southern African Music Rights Organisation

SAMRO (Southern African Music Rights Organisation) is South Africa's primary performing rights organization, founded in December 1961 in Johannesburg. It is a non-profit company that licenses music users, collects license fees, and distributes royalties to composers, authors, and music publishers for the public performance of their musical works.

How SAMRO Works

SAMRO issues blanket licenses to radio stations, television networks, streaming services, concert venues, restaurants, retail stores, and any business that plays music publicly in South Africa. License fees are collected and distributed to members based on usage data gathered through broadcast logs, streaming reports, concert set lists, and cue sheets for audiovisual uses.

SAMRO distributes royalties across six main categories: Radio and General, Live, Television, Film, Foreign, and MIT (Mechanical Income and Technology, covering internet radio, internet television, video sharing, and streaming services). Royalties are calculated on a music-second basis using channel revenue, duration, and share splits. Distributions typically lag 12 months behind actual usage.

In the 2025 financial year, SAMRO distributed R630.2 million in royalties, a 1.3% increase from R622.2 million in 2024. The organization's total assets exceeded liabilities by R60.2 million, up from R37.4 million in 2024. CEO Annabell Lebethe attributed the growth to improved operational systems and prudent financial management.

SAMRO completed a new royalty distribution system in the final quarter of 2024, introducing an integrated systems environment for licensing, finance, and distribution processes. For FY2026 (July 2025 to June 2026), SAMRO introduced tighter distribution rules: undocumented works now require stronger proof before payout, claim windows are narrower, and metadata discipline is mandatory. Works with missing cue sheets, incomplete share splits, or missing ownership proof risk being delayed or moved to later distribution cycles.

SAMRO operates a three-tier membership structure: Prospective, Associate, and Full Members. As of 2025, SAMRO had 28,308 Associate and Full Members, with a broader base of over 121,000 Prospective Members. Associate Members must have earned at least R100 in royalties (for composers/authors) or R1,000 (for publishers) in the preceding three years. Full Members are promoted from Associate status based on a point system.

SAMRO has 89 reciprocal agreements with Collective Management Organizations worldwide, enabling royalty collection in 150 countries. It is one of 18 CMOs represented on the CISAC board and is a member of the CISAC Africa Region Executive Committee. SAMRO is also accredited with BIEM.

In March 2014, SAMRO transferred its mechanical rights licensing operation to CAPASSO (Composers Authors and Publishers Association), as recommended by the 2012 Copyright Review Commission Report. SAMRO now focuses exclusively on performing rights.

In 2026, SAMRO committed R3 million to its Music Creation Support Fund (MCSF), awarding grants to 120 eligible members. The organization also launched a Music Publisher Programme in partnership with Music Business Lab to strengthen publishing knowledge among members.

Real-World Example

A South African composer registers 25 songs with SAMRO. A Johannesburg radio station plays 10 of those songs in regular rotation, a streaming service reports 800,000 streams, and a live concert at the Cape Town International Convention Centre features 5 of the songs in its set list.

SAMRO collects royalties from all three sources. The radio royalties are allocated based on airplay logs. The streaming royalties fall under the MIT category and are allocated based on usage reports. The live concert royalties are allocated based on the set list submitted by the concert organizer through the SAMRO member portal.

If the same songs are played on radio in the United Kingdom, SAMRO's reciprocal agreement with PRS for Music means PRS collects those royalties and remits them to SAMRO, which distributes them in the next Foreign distribution cycle.

With R630.2 million distributed in 2025 across 28,308 Associate and Full Members, a composer with 25 songs receiving regular airplay and significant streaming activity might earn anywhere from R20,000 to R500,000 or more annually, depending on the scale of usage and their registered share of the works.

Under the FY2026 rules, if the composer fails to submit proper cue sheets for television uses or incomplete split sheets for co-written works, those royalties will be held as undocumented until the information is supplied and validated. This makes metadata accuracy directly tied to cashflow.

Why It Matters for Independent Artists

If you are a South African songwriter, composer, or publisher, SAMRO is the primary organization for collecting performance royalties. Register every composition with SAMRO before commercial release. Unregistered works earn zero royalties, even if they receive extensive airplay or millions of streams.

Notify new works to SAMRO as soon as they are created or as soon as the music is in rotation. Under the FY2026 distribution framework, undocumented works remain pending until the requisite information is supplied and validated. The longer you wait to fix matching issues, the greater the chance that value rolls into later distribution cycles.

Submit accurate split sheets, ISRC codes, and ISWC numbers. For television and cinema uses, submit cue sheets through the member portal. For live performances, use the portal to submit set lists. SAMRO's member portal allows you to register titles, search and update undocumented works, view statements, and submit live performances.

SAMRO's 89 reciprocal agreements mean your music earns royalties internationally. South African music, including amapiano, afro-pop, gospel, and kwaito, has growing global audiences. Ensure your works are registered so international performances are tracked and royalties flow back to you.

SAMRO offers additional benefits to members, including a Funeral Benefit and a Retirement Annuity Fund for composers and authors (not publishers). The Music Creation Support Fund provides micro-grants of up to R25,000 to Full and Associate Members for producing new music.

PRO Comparison Table

Territory Covered

SAMRO collects performing rights royalties exclusively within South Africa. The organization licenses music users operating inside South African borders. This includes radio stations, television networks, streaming services, concert venues, restaurants, retail stores, and any business playing music publicly in South Africa.

For royalties generated outside South Africa, SAMRO relies on its 89 reciprocal agreements with foreign collecting societies. Those societies collect royalties locally and remit them to SAMRO for distribution to its members.

How to Join SAMRO

SAMRO operates a three-tier membership structure:

1. Prospective Members: Open to anyone who creates original musical works. No earning requirements. Over 121,000 Prospective Members as of 2025.
2. Associate Members: Must have earned at least R100 in royalties (composers/authors) or R1,000 (publishers) in the preceding three years. 28,308 Associate and Full Members as of 2025.
3. Full Members: Promoted from Associate status based on a point system considering royalty earnings and tenure.

Application Process

1. Visit the SAMRO website and navigate to the Creator section.
2. Complete the online application form (no paper forms required).
3. Pay the one-time application fee: R100 for composers/authors or R500 for publishers.
4. Submit a copy of your South African ID (or passport for non-citizens).
5. SAMRO reviews applications within approximately four weeks.
6. Follow up by calling 011 712 8000 (option 1 for customer services).

Once approved, register your musical works through the SAMRO member portal. Unregistered works earn zero royalties regardless of usage volume.

Membership Fees

• Application fee (composers/authors): R100 (one-time, non-refundable, effective June 1, 2023)
• Application fee (publishers): R500 (one-time, non-refundable, effective June 1, 2023)
• Annual membership fee: None. Existing members are exempt from the application fee.
• Business share purchase: Not applicable (SAMRO is a non-profit company, not a cooperative)

The application fee covers administrative costs of processing new membership applications. The fee was introduced to reduce the burden on existing members, since only 14% of members were earning members at the time.

Overhead Rate

SAMRO's cost-to-income ratio was 25% in 2023, down from 25.9% in 2022 and 29.5% in 2022. The organization targets reducing this to 20%. CISAC guidelines require collecting societies to limit operating costs to a maximum of 30% of revenue collected.

The overhead rate means SAMRO deducts approximately 25% of collected revenue for operating expenses before distributing the remainder to members. The remaining 75% is distributed as royalties across the six distribution categories.

Royalty Distribution Schedule

SAMRO distributes royalties across six categories: Radio and General, Live, Television, Film, Foreign, and MIT (Mechanical Income and Technology). The organization conducted 23 distributions in 2025, up from 21 in 2023 and 29 in 2024.

Distributions follow a Board-approved schedule released at the start of each financial year (July to June). Royalties are paid approximately 12 months following the actual broadcast or performance. For example, royalties for music performed in 2025 are distributed in 2026.

The FY2027 schedule (July 2026 to June 2027) includes multiple distribution dates across all categories. MIT royalties are distributed quarterly. Radio and General, Television, Live, Film, and Foreign categories each have multiple distribution cycles per year.

Reciprocal Agreements with Foreign Societies

SAMRO holds 89 reciprocal agreements with Collective Management Organizations worldwide, enabling royalty collection in 150 countries. The organization is one of 18 CMOs represented on the CISAC board and is a member of the CISAC Africa Region Executive Committee. SAMRO is also accredited with BIEM.

When a SAMRO member's music is performed in another country, the local collecting society collects those royalties and remits them to SAMRO. SAMRO then distributes them in the next Foreign distribution cycle. Major reciprocal partners include PRS for Music (UK), GEMA (Germany), ASCAP and BMI (US), SACEM (France), and JASRAC (Japan).

Notable Members

SAMRO's membership includes many of South Africa's most prominent songwriters and composers:

• Johnny Clegg (1953 to 2019): Singer-songwriter known as "The White Zulu." Mixed English and Zulu lyrics in bands Juluka and Savuka. Sold millions of records internationally.
• Terry Dempsey (1941 to 2019): Wrote "Daydreamer" which David Cassidy took to number 1 in the UK. Also wrote "Love Is a Beautiful Song" which reached number 1 in South Africa, Canada, and Australia.
• Nico Carstens (1926 to 2016): Accordionist and songwriter. His song "Zambezi" became a world hit recorded by many artists.
• Jeanne Zaidel-Rudolph: First woman to obtain a DMUS in Composition in South Africa. Contributed to the new composite version of the South African National Anthem. Awarded the Order of Ikhamanga in 2004.
• Leigh Ashton: Singer-songwriter and pianist. SAMRO member for 40 years. Signed to David Gresham Productions at age 19.

Video Guides

Compare SAMRO with Other PROs

• PRS for Music - United Kingdom's performing rights organization
• ASCAP - American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers
• BMI - Broadcast Music, Inc.
• GEMA - Germany's performing rights organization
• KOMCA - South Korea's music copyright association
• AKM - Austria's performing rights organization
• SAYCO - Southern African Composers and Authors Organisation
• Full PRO Directory - Browse all performing rights organizations

Related Resources

• Performing Rights Organizations (PRO) - What a PRO is and how it functions
• Performance Royalties - How performance royalties are generated and collected
• Mechanical Royalties - How mechanical royalties differ from performance royalties
• Blanket License - The licensing model used by SAMRO
• Collective Management Organization (CMO) - How CMOs operate globally
• SAMRO Official Website - Visit SAMRO for membership and licensing information
• Use our Streaming Royalty Calculator to estimate your digital earnings