CAPASSO guarantees March royalty payments

CAPASSO’s announcement comes as South Africans prepare for a nationwide lockdown effective from midnight on Thursday.

“While taking all precautions to ensure the safety of our staff, following the government’s emergency measures to stem the spread of the COVID-19 virus, we have rolled out our continuation plan,” CAPASSO CEO Jotam Matariro said to the association's members. “We are all focusing on guaranteeing your March 2020 mechanical royalty distributions.

“We do not anticipate any disruption of our services and will try to maintain business as usual as long as it is safely possible. We promise to do our best to make sure members receive the minimum service level required to be able to benefit from our society under this difficulty time.”

Matariro said members should refrain from visiting CAPASSO's offices in Johannesburg.

“Part of our team is working limited hours but are fully operational,” he said. “We are taking all preventive measures as announced by the president and encourage all members, clients and all other stakeholders to avoid visiting the office until the pandemic is under control for the safety of all of us.

“For obvious safety reasons, we are limiting visitors to the office. However, members and client services remain accessible by email or our website. Every one of us can be reached via email and conference calls. You can also use our social medial handles that are available on the website. We therefore expect members to still be able to register their works via the website.”

He also implored members to exercise safety measures during the pandemic.

“Please continue to be safe. We wish you all the best in these difficult times and hope to have the pleasure to come together soon. We will continue assessing the situation and adjusting our protocols should the need arise. For any questions or feedback, please do not hesitate to contact us.

“As this virus is showing to the world, we are all linked. Therefore, we count on our historical solidarity and friendship to overcome this crisis together for the benefit of our respective members and society at large. We all rely on each other,” Matariro said.

Meanwhile, CAPASSO is conducting a survey to ascertain the losses of the creative industry in South Africa due to COVID-19.