NASCAM deploys licence inspectors across regions

The Namibian Society of Composers and Authors of Music (Nascam) is expanding its presence across the regions with the deployment of seven field inspectors tasked with monitoring music licensing requirements.

The announcement was made by acting Nascam vice chairperson Ferdinand Gertze on Wednesday.

Gertze said the Nascam board had resolved to increase the organisation’s regional representation by recruiting and deploying temporary field licence inspectors.

“At present, Nascam is represented in the commerce region only at their head office here at 5 Johnson Street,” he said.

Nascam has a good working relationship with the Namibian Police in various regions and the Windhoek City Police, Gertze said.

He said the cooperation is important for the safety of Nascam officers while they carry out their duties. He appealed to music users across the country "to comply with the law and obtain an appropriate Nascam music user licence".

With the regional inspectors now set to operate across several parts of the country, Nascam aims to bring its licensing and compliance efforts closer to music users while strengthening its support for composers, authors and publishers.

Deployed

Nascam said the inspectors will be based in different regions, allowing the organisation to improve its monitoring of music users and licensing compliance beyond its head office.

The field inspectors include Daves Mulatehi, who will be based in the Zambezi region, while Matamu Didakus will cover the Kavango East and Kavango West regions.

Utiraije Zeraua will be responsible for Erongo and Otjozondjupa, while Salvador Maymona will be based in Erongo.

Marlon Binga will cover the Hardap and ||Kharas regions, while Job Shapopika will cover Oshikoto and Ohangwena. Menas Lamek will be responsible for Oshana and Oshikoto.

Nascam also listed Gabriel Amugongo and Loide Negumbo as licence inspectors.

Gertze explained that Nascam’s core function is to ensure composers, authors and publishers receive fair remuneration whenever their intellectual property is used.

“In accordance with the Copyright and Neighbouring Rights Protection Act, Act 6 of 1994, any person, institution that performs, plays, or broadcasts copyrighted music in public spaces is required to obtain a valid music licence,” he said.

He said the licensing requirement applies to music played locally, nationally and internationally.

The inspectors will engage with music users operating in a wide range of spaces, including live music performances, cultural festivals, trade fairs, hotels, restaurants and other accommodation facilities.

Other music users include mobile DJs, jukeboxes, television and sound systems, schools, halls, sporting venues, shops, cinemas, hairdressing salons, barber shops, nightclubs, lounges, gyms and fitness centres.