Author: Staff Reporter

The Southern African Music Rights Organisation (SAMRO) has implemented a cutting-edge technology solution that will enhance its ability to distribute royalties on behalf of its members. The organisation, which administers the copyright and royalties of its members – primarily music composers, authors and publishers – has engaged local-based companies Media Host and Radio Monitor to provide monitoring of airplay across platforms such as television and radio. The move is aimed at improving the accuracy, efficiency and speed with which SAMRO is able to process and pay over royalties to its registered members. This is according to SAMRO Membership GM Karabo Senna, who…

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Royalty payments ranging from R100 to R250 000 are waiting to go to more than 6000 South African musicians and composers who are members of music rights administrator SAMRO. The Southern African Music Rights Organisation (SAMRO) is currently sitting with an amount of more than R30 million in pending royalties and has identified about 6 500 members who need to resubmit their banking details in order to receive payment. SAMRO CEO Mark Rosin explains that the current situation resulted from the organisation having received incorrect or outdated banking details from members. “While SAMRO has the money, it can’t pay it over at this…

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Overcharge for basic food, emergency or medical supplies, and you could face a R1 million or 12 months in jail. The National Consumer Commission (NCC) has renewed its message to suppliers not to inflate prices of essential items listed under Consumer and Customer Protection and National Disaster Management Regulations and Directions, issued in terms of Regulation 350 of Government Notice 43116 (Regulation 350). The warning comes after reports of possible food shortages in both KwaZulu Natal and Gauteng provinces following public unrest. Regulation 350, read with sections 40 and 48, was gazetted by the government to prevent suppliers from profiteering…

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The Electoral Commission has put on hold the upcoming voter registration weekend (31 July and 1 August) as it launches a court application to have the local government elections postponed to early next year. The Commission announced this in a briefing Friday 23 July on its response to the ‘Inquiry into Ensuring Free and Fair Elections during COVID-19’ by former Deputy Chief Justice Dikgang Moseneke. In a statement following the briefing, the IEC said it had carefully considered and resolved to adopt the final report of the Inquiry. “The Commission accepts the rational and the central thesis of the report that greater immunity…

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UPDATE THURSDAY 22 JULY AT 12PM: The Electoral Commission says it will provide an update on its consideration of the report of the Inquiry into Ensuring Free and Fair Elections during Covid-19 compiled by Justice Dikgang Moseneke. The media briefing is on Friday 23 July 2021 at 2pm. ORIGINAL: Former Deputy Chief Justice Dikgang Moseneke has recommended that South Africa’s local government elections be postponed to February 2022 to decrease the risk of Covid-19 hospitalisation and death. The Electoral Commission says it will urgently study the report before making final decisions on its implications, and will make an announcement in…

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People wanting to help family and friends in need following unrest in Gauteng and KwaZulu-Natal can buy virtual vouchers and send them directly to their phones.   Vouchers are sent via SMS to a recipient’s mobile phone within an hour of placing the order. Once received, they can be used immediately for groceries at Shoprite, Checkers and Usave stores nationwide. Buying and sending a virtual voucher is simple: WhatsApp “voucher” to 087 240 5709, send a voucher via a Money Market account, or buy one online. The virtual voucher can only be used in-store by entering the voucher number into the pin pad at check out. Vouchers can only be redeemed once and no…

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The Serious Organised Crime Investigation team of the Hawks in East London is appealing to the public to provide information on the whereabouts of Thamsanqa Valu-Valu/ Qokoshe (33) – pictured right –  in connection with a murder case. The investigating team believe that Qokoshe can assist the police in solving the case. He is from Ndlovini in Port Alfred and is suspected to be in the vicinity of Knysna in the Western Cape. It is reported that on 21 November 2016 at about 07:45, Nkosekhaya Plaatjie (25) and Mzingisi Ndawule (24) were found dead with gunshot wounds at Peddie near…

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You can help children in your care cope with the violence SA has suffered in the past week The continuous civil unrest, looting and violence gripping parts of our country could see a spike in post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) amongst children, even those not directly impacted, warns the South African Society of Psychiatrists (SASOP). Dr Anusha Lachman, child psychiatrist and SASOP board member, said children are highly susceptible to fear and feeling overwhelmed as they witness the unsettling current events via social media and the news, and through adult conversations. She says parents and care-givers play the most crucial role…

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The Electoral Commission on 14 July 2021 launched an online voter registration facility allowing new voters to register and existing voters to update or amend their registration from the ease and convenience of their homes or elsewhere. The online voter registration facility is part of the Electoral Commission’s on-going commitment to provide greater accessibility and convenience to voters. It follows the implementation of a range of other digital service channels over the past 5 years including online candidate nominations, online special vote applications and online party funding declarations. The new online voter registration facility has been in development for a…

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President Ramaphosa’s address on outbreaks of violence: Monday 12 July 2021 at 8pm WATCH https://youtu.be/rRZ96R0x8go READ [pdf-embedder url=”https://www.grocotts.co.za/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/210712-Address-on-Violence.pdf” title=”210712 Address on Violence”]

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