NEEDLETIME BOARD

Needletime Board line-up named for Performers' Organisation of South Africa Trust (POSA).

A heavyweight line-up of South African artists has been named to the Board of the newly created Performers' Organisation of South Africa Trust (POSA).

Classical and jazz performer and multi-award winner Sibongile Khumalo, jazz musicians Concorde Nkabinde and Ernie Smith, Afro-Soul artist Judith Sephuma and adult contemporary artist Helena Hettema are the six individuals who represent artists on the POSA Board. The 11-member board also has an additional five members including CEO Nick Motsatse of the Southern African Music Rights Organisation (SAMRO). Renowned Afrikaans artist, Coenie de Villiers, joins the board in his capacity as a Non-Executive Director of the SAMRO Board, and POSA's General Manager and Executive Director, Pfanani Lishivha, is also part of POSA’s Board.

POSA was established to administer Needletime Rights on behalf of SAMRO's Needletime Rights members who have signed up in this capacity since SAMRO became an accredited Needletime Rights collecting society.

Says POSA’s GM Lishivha, “SAMRO has always had the interests of all South African musicians at heart, but the law has not always allowed us to help those who perform the music as opposed to only those who compose it. We are, therefore, very happy to be able to assist musicians in reaping the full benefits brought about by the introduction of Needletime to South Africa.”

Lishivha is currently talking to South African recording artists and those who work with them – most recently addressing a workshop organised by the Cape Music Industry Commission (Cape MIC).

“Needletime will generate a second income stream for composer/performers and it’s a benefit for performers,” Lishivha said at the workshop. “Under the previous royalty structure, SAMRO (Southern African Music Rights Organisation) paid royalties for composers and publishers, but with Needletime, there is an additional benefit for performers,” he added.

For more information on POSA or to become a member, visit www.posatrust.org.za or www.samro.org.za/needletime/needletime_rights/