Nascam secures N$1.5m Unesco grant as Jossy Joss begins new term

The Namibia Society of Composers and Authors of Music (Nascam) held its elective annual general meeting (AGM) on 27 June, during which Joseph Ailonga, known as Jossy Joss, retained his position as chairperson for the next three years.

The other board members are Shinana Nghixulifwa, who serves as vice chairperson, alongside Martin Morocky Mbwaluh (King Tee Dee), Ripuree Desmond Katamila, Bertholdt Mbinda (Bertholdt), Gertrude Brandt and Steven Alvin Naruseb.

Patricia Ochurus and Janice Mumbangala were appointed as additional members to serve in an advisory, non-voting capacity and to fill any potential vacancies, ensuring a seamless leadership transition.

In a telephone interview with tjil, Ailonga discussed the new direction of the organisation and said his re-election reflected strong confidence from the Namibian creative community.

“This signals confidence in the current board and trust in its ability to execute Nascam’s strategic vision," he said. "Our primary mandate remains maximising collections to increase distributions. We are committed to achieving the global standard of 70% distribution versus 30% administrative costs."

Ailonga said their aim is to ensure Nascam remains member-centric by expanding benefits to include housing support, touring opportunities, awards and pension schemes, among others. During the AGM, members approved audited financial statements, as well as a suite of collection and payment reforms.

Reflecting on past industry debates surrounding royalty distribution and financial tracking, Ailonga said establishing greater financial transparency remains important, as the issue affects all members.

“Consequently, we will maintain these standards and improve our systems while reporting to members more frequently."

Financial, housing security

Nascam has also secured a N$1.5 million (US$93 730) grant from the Unesco International Fund for Cultural Diversity for the new PRTIC project, which will be launched this month.

Asked what it took to secure international backing of this scale for Namibian music creators, Ailonga said: “The team worked collectively and diligently on this application, and we extend our gratitude for their hard work." He highlighted that "submitting requests to institutions like Unesco demands a precise understanding of the process; every step must be followed to meet their strict requirements.”

He added that the process was rigorous and required close collaboration between the finance department, the licensing team and the CEO to develop a project worthy of funding.

During the AGM, one of the key updates was a proposed community-driven housing scheme in partnership with the Namibia Housing Action Group.

Asked what prompted the shift from focusing purely on royalty payouts to addressing the living conditions and long-term security of local creators, Ailonga said: “Internationally, the role of a CMO extends beyond the collection and distribution of royalties to include social welfare, such as music promotion, awards participation, pension schemes, and funeral benefits. Here in Namibia, we recognise that our current economic structure limits financial inclusion for musicians, creating significant barriers to accessing mortgages or business capital."

He added that many artists struggle to prove income stability to traditional banks, and the organisation is working on pathways to improve access to housing.

Nascam is currently evaluating partnerships with initiatives like the Shack Dwellers Federation under the NHAG, among other strategies.

"We intend to announce these measures soon, as our primary goal is to sustainably enhance the livelihoods of our members, ensuring they have the stability required to continue producing music," Ailonga said.