SAMRO awards $165k in grants to 120 music creators

17 Jun 2025 - 16:02

Published under the Creative Commons Licence

The Southern African Music Rights Organisation (SAMRO) has awarded grants to 120 music creators under the 2025 cycle of its Music Creation Support Fund (MCSF). The initiative, now in its fourth year, provides up to R25,000 per recipient to develop new, royalty-generating works.

SAMRO corporate social Investment manager Lesego Maforah.

A total of R3 million was disbursed during this round, bringing the fund’s cumulative investment to over R13.5 million (about $168 000) since its launch in 2021. To date, the MCSF has supported 540 SAMRO members across diverse musical genres and disciplines.

“These recipients embody the bold creativity, cultural influence, and artistic excellence that define South African music today,” SAMRO corporate social investment manager Lesego Maforah said. “The Music Creation Support Fund plays a vital role in enabling our members to bring new works to life, while contributing to a more inclusive and sustainable music ecosystem.”

The fund supports a wide range of creative outputs, including original compositions, albums, music videos, and scores all designed to generate royalties for creators. Applications for the 2025 cycle opened in December 2024 and closed at the end of January 2025, with a total of 615 applications received, signalling growing demand within the sector.

To ensure fairness and broader participation, SAMRO’s CSI initiatives exclude members who have received funding in the past three years, thereby rotating opportunities and encouraging emerging talent. “This cycle placed particular emphasis on diversity and gender representation, in addition to artistic merit and project feasibility,” Maforah noted.

The selected recipients represent a cross-section of South Africa’s rich musical landscape, and their works are expected to contribute to both cultural enrichment and career sustainability. “With four successful rounds completed, the MCSF has cemented its role as more than just a funding mechanism,” added Maforah. “It sparks innovation, empowers creators, and supports the development of a diverse and vibrant South African music repertoire.”

Through the MCSF and other CSI programmes, SAMRO continues to advance artistic development, champion creators’ rights, and advocate for an equitable future for the music industry in Southern Africa.

A full list of 2025 recipients is available via the SAMRO official website here.

SAMRO