Last week Friday, SAMRO NPC announced that the funeral benefit paid to its composers had been increased by 100%. Formed in 1962, SAMRO is Africa’s leading music copyright administration company and deals with the administration of music composers’ Performing Rights.
In addition to the royalty income that SAMRO pays to its composers from the use of their music by licensed users, SAMRO provides its composers with a Retirement Annuity Fund and has done so since 1969. In 1998, the SAMRO Funeral Benefit Scheme was added to its Benefits Programme to assist composers with the burdensome costs associated with funeral arrangements. To date, a total of R45 million has been spent paid to composers in respect of these benefits.
“SAMRO is pleased to announce that as of 1 November 2015, the funeral cover for members has been increased from R10 000 to R20 000. In the unfortunate death of a composer member or his/her beneficiaries, the bereaved can contact SAMRO to submit their claim. The benefit covers the composer member, their spouse and up to five children under the age of 18”, said Sipho Dlamini, SAMRO’s Chief Executive Officer.
The announcement in relation to the R10 000.00 increase has been well received by composers. “Planning a funeral is an emotional thing. When our father died, SAMRO assisted us, through its funeral benefit scheme, to bury our father. It was such a relief to everyone in the family when SAMRO called us and informed us of this benefit,” indicated Sphamandla Masondo, son of the late SAMRO composer member, David Masondo.
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Media Contact:
Phash Ratshilumela
Tel: 011 712 8511
Email: phash.ratshilumela@samro.org.za
