SA: SAMRO appoints new CEO

Migogo will take over from acting group CEO Abe Sibiya. Sibiya will return to the chairmanship of the organisation once she assumes office in July, and acting chair Sibongile Khumalo will resume her position as his deputy on the SAMRO board.

“The Boards of SAMRO and CAPASSO are pleased to announce the appointment of Ms Nothando Migogo as the chief executive officer of SAMRO,” reads a joint press statement from the two organisations.

“SAMRO and CAPASSO look forward to continued strategic engagement and assure all stakeholders, members, licensees and government that the solid structures and strong relationship between CAPASSO and SAMRO will ensure that all operational and strategic processes for both organisations will benefit by a seamless transition and will continue smoothly in the future. A strong succession structure has been in place at CAPASSO for some time, and will continue to deliver the success and growth thus far achieved.”

Khumalo praised Migogo’s leadership style. “It was at CAPASSO where Nothando’s skills, knowledge and her visionary and strategic insights became abundantly clear,” she said. “Nothando is one of a growing cohort of astute young executives with a values-based attitude to leadership. We look forward to her moving the SAMRO firmly along on its quest to remain an ethical and forward-looking modern organisation, and a vital player in our industry’s digital space.

“We have no doubt that her presence will imbue SAMRO with a dynamic and focused energy, and a youthfulness that will help us tap into our members’ needs. We look forward to an energised organisation with a fresh handle on its strategic vision.”

Sibiya echoed Khumalo’s sentiments. “Ms Migogo is an astute and intelligent executive and a tried-and-tested professional who is credited with setting up CAPASSO from scratch. She has proved her mettle and will no doubt give a good account of herself as she steers this 55-year-old organisation with its 15 000 members. I know she will prove to be an asset to SAMRO,” Sibiya said.

Migogo is no stranger to SAMRO. She previously served as the managing director of Dramatic, Artistic and Literary Rights Organisation (DALRO). She also serves on the SAMRO Foundation board. She has been CEO of CAPASSO since January 2014 and has led that organisation, together with a dynamic team, to triple-digit revenue growth and crucial licensing breakthroughs.

Under her leadership, CAPASSO initiated two key strategies, namely the integration of rights holders (composers and publishers) in the field of mechanical rights administration and the licensing of digital music platforms in South Africa.

A lawyer by profession, Migogo has previously worked in educational publishing and as a tax consultant. While at DALRO, the Mail& Guardian newspaper named her as one of its Top 200 Young South Africans.