Profile of SAMRO's CEO

“Nick” Motsatse is the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Southern African Music Rights Organisation, Limited by Guarantee (SAMRO). He has held this position since July 2006 following a four year period as part of the Senior Management team of SAMRO as an Executive and Director in charge of Marketing and related aspects of the business.

Motsatse was elected as one of the two vice-chairpersons of the Board of Directors of the International Confederation of Societies of Authors and Composers (CISAC) in June 2007. He is one of the few CEOs of Collective Administrations and Management Societies who serve on the strategy development and scenario planning committee of the Board of CISAC called the Business Intelligence Group (BIG). He is also a member of the Executive Committee of CISAC Africa Committee.

Right from the early stage of Motsatse’s involvement in the music industry, he realized the need to help build institutional capacity for the betterment of the industry. To this extent he pioneered together with other industry role players the formation of Moshito Music Conference and Exhibition as well as its off shoots such as the South African Music Export Council (SAMEX), the Composers Association of South Africa (CASA) and the Association of Independent Record Companies (AIRCO).

Prior to joining SAMRO Motsatse was the Managing Director of Manning Selvage and Lee, a marketing communications firm within the Leo Burnett group of companies. He also was an Executive Director in the group.

Besides marketing communications, Motsatse brings to his current role a vast experience in different sectors having graduated at the University of Fort Hare with a Bachelor of Theology degree and went to study marketing at the Wits Business School and, more recently, business leadership at UNISA’s School of Business Leadership. He worked in business consulting, entrepreneurial development and even had a spell in establishing and running church.

Motsatse is the recent past chairman of the National Arts Council (NAC). He is married to Fezeka and they have four daughters – Mosa, Nwabisa, Neo and Teboho.

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