Picture: Sourced
The family of the late kwaito star, Nomasonto ‘Mshoza’ Maswanganyi, is still awaiting her royalties from Southern African Music Rights Organisation (SAMRO).
Mshoza’s father, Steve Mafuna, also joined the artists who were marching outside of SAMRO offices in Johannesburg on November 13.
He said to Sunday World :“I joined the march to fight for my daughter. She had two children, aged 12 and 14, and we are taking care of them. It’s heart-breaking because their mother was a superstar. Yet her children are surviving on my pension, which is not enough. My wish is for SAMRO to release Mshoza’s royalties so we can provide for her kids,” said Steve.
During the march, SAMRO members, alongside Artists United and other civil society groups, handed over a memorandum of demands calling for comprehensive reforms within the organisation. In response, SAMRO CEO Annabelle Lebethe assured participants that their concerns had been noted. “We have noted your concerns and we will attend to them.”
Kwaito legend and EFF member of parliament, Eugene Mthethwa, said that many artists have died poor. Pointing at Steve, he said that he has not received a cent since the Ayina Chorus singer passed away.
“He was telling me that since Mshoza passed away, he hasn’t received even a cent. But this is what we are talking about when we constantly say ‘enough is enough’,” said the Trompies member.
“We’re doing music without sleeping, making hits and those who make popular songs they earn R82. Those who sit in the studio and make music for adverts, they are the high earners,” said Mthethwa, breaking down some of the music industry discrepancies.
Also see: WATCH: Pearl Thusi and her daughter drop a dance challenge for Mshoza’s new song