SAMRO allocates R3m to 2026 Music Creation Support Fund

Each selected recipient will receive up to R25 000 to develop royalty-generating works, including albums, musical compositions and music videos. SAMRO said the latest allocation brings its total investment through the fund to more than R16.5 million since its establishment in 2021, benefiting 660 members to date.

SAMRO CSI manager Lesego Maforah said the initiative plays a role in strengthening the local music sector. “The Music Creation Fund is a key instrument in building a sustainable and inclusive music ecosystem,” Maforah said. “The 2026 recipients represent the depth, diversity, and future of South African music, enabling our members to transform ideas into tangible works that contribute to both cultural expression and economic participation.”

Applications for the 2026 cycle opened in September 2025 and closed on 7 November 2025. The programme received more than 600 applications, reflecting continued demand for financial support in the sector.

SAMRO applies a three-year cooling-off period, which excludes members who have received support from any of its corporate social investment programmes within the past 36 months. The organisation said the measure is intended to widen access for new and emerging creators.

According to SAMRO, applications were assessed by an independent panel of external experts. Selection criteria included artistic merit, feasibility of proposed projects, as well as diversity and gender representation.

The organisation said the selected recipients represent multiple genres and creative disciplines within the South African music industry.

Now in its fifth year, the Music Creation Support Fund has become a key funding mechanism aimed at supporting the production of commercially viable music works, expanding audience reach and strengthening long-term sustainability for artists.

Maforah said the initiative continues to support career development within the sector. “The continued success of the MCSF demonstrates its role as a catalyst for artistic innovation and career growth,” she said. “It empowers our members to not only create but to thrive within an evolving music economy.”

SAMRO has published the full list of 2025 recipients on its website.