Simply Eugene

OPEN LETTER TO MINISTERS PARKS TAU, SOLLY MALATSI, AND ENOCH GODONGWANA REGARDING SAMRO AND THE CRISIS OF ROYALTIES AND GOVERNANCE Dear Honourable Minister Parks Tau, Minister of Trade, Industry and Competition Dear Honourable Minister Mmoba Solomon "Solly" Malatsi, Minister of Communications and Digital Technologies Dear Honourable Enoch Godongwana, Minister of Finance I write to you not only as a Member of Parliament representing the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF), but also as a cultural activist and legendary artist who has dedicated decades to advancing South Africa's creative industries. For far too long, I and many others have raised the alarm regarding gross mismanagement of artists’ and composers’ royalties by the Southern African Music Rights Organisation (SAMRO). Despite repeated engagements, correspondence, and public appeals, no meaningful intervention has addressed these persistent governance failures and violations of the laws that govern companies and protect the rights of creatives in our country. SAMRO’s conduct is not merely a matter of internal inefficiency, but reflects systemic disregard for the legal and ethical requirements enshrined in the Companies Act 71 of 2008, the Prevention and Combating of Corrupt Activities Act (PRECCA) No. 12 of 2004, and the organisation’s own Memorandum of Incorporation (MOI). These failures have led to widespread injustice in the distribution of royalties, undermined the livelihoods of countless artists, and threatened the future of the South African music industry. Honourable Ministers, the regulatory framework exists precisely to prevent such abuse, ensuring transparency, accountability, and justice for all stakeholders. Yet, year after year, artists and composers are left in the dark about royalty calculations and payments, while irregularities and allegations of corruption continue to surface without consequence for those responsible. At this point, I am compelled to ask: Is government simply waiting for all our artists to die poor and destitute, or for a disastrous event to shock the nation, before decisive action is taken? How many more must suffer or perish before the state fulfils its duty to protect the creative sector and enforce the laws meant to safeguard their livelihoods? I urge your offices to take immediate and decisive action to: 1. Institute a comprehensive forensic investigation into the management of royalties at SAMRO; 2. Hold all individuals and entities found to have violated company and anti-corruption laws accountable, in accordance with the Companies Act, PRECCA, and the MOI; 3. Review and strengthen the oversight mechanisms governing SAMRO and similar collecting societies to prevent further abuse and restore the trust of South Africa’s creative community. It is no exaggeration to say that the future of our cultural heritage, and the dignity of our artists, hinges on the actions you take now. I trust that you will treat this matter with the urgency and seriousness it demands, and I am willing to engage further to support a process that restores justice and good governance to our industry. Yours sincerely, Eugene Mthethwa Member of Parliament (EFF) Cultural Activist & Legendary Artist @EFFSouthAfrica @SABCNews @News24 @Newzroom405 @SundayWorldZA @ewnupdates @BBCAfrica @BBCWorld @FoxNews

🚨 EFF MP Hon. Eugene Mthethwa pulls back the curtain on DSAC & NAC’s lack of oversight—exposing the biggest scam and corruption ignored for years! 🔥 #ExposeCorruption #EFF #AccountabilityNow @EFFSouthAfrica

Let your conscience speak to you this day, it is never too late to repent whilst alive but not beyond the grave.

Well categorised @NalediChirwa

Well said my President @Julius_S_Malema we remain resolute, we will never be swayed by the number of votes to hate our own. Indeed, our children cannot be taught this evil, selective and unfounded hatred of our own black brothers and sisters whilst they are taught to embrace Asians, Indians, Americans and Europeans who are equally foreign in our land. Madness! It’s a principled stance and the truth we shall stand by. Aluta! Thank you to all honest and loyal members of @EFFSouthAfrica who remain convicted to the truth, the “economic freedom in our lifetime”

Yesss fossssoooo, we do not compromise principles but remain convicted to the truth….

It’s been 3 weeks waiting for waste removal, so you know and see their failures, Vote them out and vote @EFFSouthAfrica in and see if there won’t be any difference! @EFFYouthCommand @EFFGautengProv

Let young people make this day the real “Youth Day” when youth will change the status quo of youth unemployment, economic oppression for economic freedom. Take over the municipalities and professionalise them with skilled youth against comradeship deployment! @EFFYouthCommand @EFFSouthAfrica @EFFGautengProv

Join the challenge😅😂😂 @EFFYouthCommand @EFFGautengProv @EFFSouthAfrica

How many knowledge institutions like Ray Phiri should pass on without multiplying themselves in the generations after them and many more to come? @GaytonMcK the USA borrowed “Living Ledgends” programme by the Department of Sports, Arts and Culture has been nothing but a conduit to siphon the money without making the intended impact. The miss is in the name first and foremost, the word “Ledgends” yet targeting above 70yr olds (Veterans). One doesn’t have to be 70 in order to be a Ledgend, like some of us we are Ledgends yet far from the age of 70. The second and very key to its failure yet money gone, it is the failure to understand that the material conditions between USA and South Africa are not the same and therefore, it is very difficult for South Africans to reach the age 70. USA is a first world country with higher GDP per capita compared to SA. The United States economy is roughly 75 to 77 times larger than South Africa’s economy and therefore, Americans have far better health care, less financial stress and many other conditions that lessen their mortal rate as compared to SA artists who die bitter and poor always. Thus a walking encyclopaedia like Ray Phiri died just at the age of 70, when he was eligible to access funds from the “Ledgends programme” yet it was too late to even transfer skills and mentor young people. So one cannot adapt the programme as it is but to twig it in order to suite South African realities. Must we die also before “we are heard” @GaytonMcK @EFFSouthAfrica @EFFYouthCommand @EFFGautengProv

Thank you to all a churches that allowed us to visit them. The word of God commands the church to pray for our leaders, our government and those in authority, 1 Timothy 2:1-4 @EFFSouthAfrica @EFFGautengProv @EFFKZN @EFFYouthCommand @churchtalkative @GBC_intl @zoe_bible @RhemaSA @RhemaPodcasts @ComeUntoChrist @Evangelist_Des @familychurch

And they say we hate South Africans🤷‍♀️ I do not understand this logic that is illogical😅🤣😂

#mybrotherskeeper @EFFSouthAfrica @EFFGautengProv

You can take anything and everything from us but history has no blank pages and the blood that runs in us cannot be replaced @EFFSouthAfrica @EFFGautengProv we come a very long way my sister🙏🙏 @DZumaSambudla

All roads lead to the Tshela Thupa rally of the mighty @EFFSouthAfrica @EFFGautengProv, the only hope for the people of South Africa who believe in the total emancipation of all, “Economic Freedom in our lifetime!” Give us the sign mama, we are waiting for your command mama Winnie Madikizela Mandela

Make it make sense! Same flight, same seat row, two vars different prices, (I) cash price ticket for an ordinary citizen @ R1,413.94 and (ii) for a public servant @ R 4,720.46. The very gov that is forever declaring “No budget” its public servants pay three times the price of an ordinary person’s ticket would cost on the same flight and sitting next to each other. This is the money that is supposed to go into service delivery, yet this is the true picture of the broad daylight robbery! Who’s fooling who in SA? The solid and practical example why as @EFFSouthAfrica we are pushing for “State Capacitation” to keep the costs low, create decent and permanent jobs for our people especially the youth and avoid such unreasonable and unnecessary costs from middleman’s graft that benefits the “tenderprenuer”

@SelloDanny71588 you are not in my league and arguing with you is just degrading myself

So, anyone who has not gone out of this country to visit any country or even out of his or her province, wise even, if you have never left your town to visit another town, please don’t engage us, go find people of your league to engage with🙈🙈🙈