SAMRO and CAPASSO bring SongHubs Africa to Joburg

10 oct 2025 - 12:10

Published under the Creative Commons Licence

The Southern African Music Rights Organisation (SAMRO) and the Composers, Authors and Publishers Association (CAPASSO) have partnered with the Australasian Performing Right Association and Australasian Mechanical Copyright Owners Society (APRA AMCOS) and the African Music Academy (AMA) to bring the internationally recognised SongHubs programme to Africa for the first time.

CAPASSO general manager of operations Lerato Matsoso (pictured) described the partnership as a significant step towards prioritising songwriters in the global music industry.
SAMRO general manager for marketing and communications Kgomotso Mosenogi (pictured) said the initiative reinforces the organisation’s commitment to empowering African creators.

The inaugural African edition of SongHubs will be held in Johannesburg, South Africa, from 20 to 23 October. The three-day collaborative songwriting programme will bring together 12 leading songwriters and producers from Africa, Australia and New Zealand to encourage cultural exchange, collaboration and professional development.

Each participating organisation will nominate creators to take part in the initiative. SAMRO’s representatives include producer duo Drumetic Boyz, singer-songwriter Moneoa Moshesh and vocalist Liyema Pantsi. Representing CAPASSO will be Grammy-nominated singer-songwriter Brenden Praise, multi-instrumentalist Mnqobi Yazo and vocalist Raspy.

AMA will be represented by Zambian artist Cleo Ice Queen and Malawian songwriter Lulu, while APRA AMCOS will send jazz musician David Rodriguez, singer-songwriter Ngaiire, and Māori artist TAWAZ.

The programme aims to promote songwriting, skills development, industry knowledge, networking, personal growth and career advancement. It is designed as a structured practicum to help participants enhance their songwriting abilities and share creative approaches across cultures.

Launched in 2013, SongHubs has hosted more than 2,000 songwriters in over 30 international locations, resulting in more than 6 000 songs, including works released by global artists such as Chris Brown, Nicki Minaj, Zayn Malik and Killer Mike.

The Johannesburg edition marks a milestone for South Africa’s creative industries, reflecting efforts to strengthen the cultural economy and expand the country’s footprint in the global music landscape.

SAMRO general manager for marketing and communications, Kgomotso Mosenogi, said the initiative reinforces the organisation’s commitment to empowering African creators through collaboration and cross-border learning. CAPASSO general manager of operations, Lerato Matsoso, described the partnership as a significant step towards prioritising songwriters in the global music industry.

AMA President Wally Badarou said the collaboration would help foster artistic innovation and promote African music internationally, calling the project “a catalyst for fostering African creativity”.

SAMRO