What Is SAMRO? A Simple Guide for South African Musicians (2025 Update)
- Anga Hackula
- Dec 1
- 3 min read
If you’re a musician in South Africa, you’ve probably heard people talk about SAMRO—but what exactly is it, and why does it matter for your music career? In this guide, I break down SAMRO in a clear and simple way so that you can understand how it works, why you should register, and how to avoid leaving money on the table.
What Is SAMRO?
SAMRO stands for the Southern African Music Rights Organisation.It is South Africa’s performance rights organisation (PRO).
A PRO protects one specific type of copyright: Performance Rights.
What Are Performance Rights?
Performance rights refer to the royalties generated when your composition is performed in public.
A composition is the music you write. This includes:
Lyrics
Melodies
Instrumental arrangements
MIDI notes created on your DAW (Reason, FL Studio, Logic, Cubase, etc.)
If you create any of these, you are a composer, and SAMRO protects your rights when your work is used publicly.
Who Works With SAMRO?
SAMRO primarily deals with:
Composers (songwriters, producers, lyricists)
Publishers (people or companies administering your music rights)
If you write music or lyrics—or produce music using a DAW—you should be registered.
How Does SAMRO Make You Money?
Music users (like radio, TV stations, and cinemas) need a license to use music publicly.
Here’s how the flow works:
Metro FM (or any station) buys a license from SAMRO.
SAMRO collects that money, takes an administration fee, and
Pays the remaining amount to the music creators whose music was played.
The more your music is played—and the longer it is on air—the more royalties you earn.
These royalties continue for years, making this one of the most reliable long-term income streams for musicians.
Why Split Sheets Matter
If you release music without proper paperwork, you’re risking major disputes down the line.
A split sheet ensures everyone involved in creating the song knows:
Their exact percentage
Their role
Who owns what
This resolves problems before they happen and ensures SAMRO pays the correct people.
If you need help with this, my Mzantsi Music Business Templates (including split sheets and publishing agreements) simplify everything.
How Much Does It Cost to Register with SAMRO?
SAMRO currently charges R100 for individuals to register.This may change in the future, so it’s wise to sign up now.
Registration usually takes up to 21 days, but you can speed things up by:
Making an appointment
Calling SAMRO directly
Phone support often works faster than email.
Can You Register With Another PRO Instead of SAMRO?
Yes. Other PROs include:
BMI
ASCAP
PRS
GEMA
IMRO
But here’s the catch:
If your music primarily earns royalties in South Africa, it’s better to register locally.Otherwise:
SAMRO takes an admin fee
Then your foreign PRO takes another fee
You lose more money through extra layers.
You also need to consider:
Language barriers
Banking compatibility
Time zone differences
So for most South African musicians, SAMRO is the best starting point.
Don't Forget the Notification of Works
After you register, your job is not done.You must submit a Notification of Works every time you release a new song.
This form tells SAMRO:
Who wrote the song
Percentages (splits)
Publishers involved
Genres
Song length
If you skip this step, SAMRO won’t know the song belongs to you, and you won’t get your royalties.
Final Tips
Register early
Submit split sheets - You can get this from my Mzantsi Publisher Agreement Templates
Complete your Notification of Works for every release
Call SAMRO for faster updates
Keep your details up to date
SAMRO is not perfect, but it’s one of the most important organisations for your long-term royalty income.
Get the Tools You Need
If you want to protect your music properly, check out my Mzantsi Music Business Templates, including:
Publishing agreements
Split sheet templates
Composer agreements
They help you stay organised and avoid disputes.
Until next time,
Skill
Comments