“Multiple award winner and virtuoso in music Gloria Bosman was voted in by members to help make key decisions and steer important initiatives on behalf of the organisation,” says SAMRO Chairperson Nicholas Maweni
“The executive management of SAMRO is pleased that it has made exemplary progress appointing women in the organisation’s leadership, with about 65% of all employees at SAMRO and 71% of senior management being women.”
Bosman’s appointment to the board follows the recent appointment of a female Chief Operating Officer (COO) and Chief Executive Officer (CEO). The organisation recognises that a diverse leadership team, with a particular focus on gender and youth representation, is vital to create an inclusive workforce, which ultimately results in better organisational performance.
Earlier this year, SAMRO revealed the finding of the preliminary study which showed that women remain poorly represented within the music sector. The research found that women are largely excluded from key decision-making positions within the industry and face numerous challenges that result in their marginalisation when compared to their male counterparts.
“The study helped us better understand the causes of gender imbalance to change the unfair position women still find themselves in, and to play a leading role in improving the situation and advancing women in the industry,” says Maweni.
He explains that the study was inspired by the fact that only 18% of SAMRO’s members were women, according to a survey conducted in March 2021. SAMRO wanted a more detailed, qualitative picture of the experiences and views of women in the industry, as seen through the eyes of a selected group of women music makers, to better understand the gender imbalance in its membership,” he adds
Based on SAMRO’s Memorandum of Incorporation (MOI), members get an annual opportunity to rotate a third of the board by voting in new composers and publishers as directors who oversee the activities of management, with a particular focus on governance and strategy.
Bosman is a jazz, African, rock and gospel vocalist and also an accomplished producer, composer, vocal and presenter. Additionally, she is a multiple South African Music Awards winner, as well as a KORA and Naledi Awards nominee.
To date, she has six albums to her credit under her own name as a solo artist and she has performed across the globe in countries such as the UK, France, Finland, Australia, Nigeria, Namibia and Zimbabwe, as well as completing a three-country tour in South America.
Maweni notes that SAMRO also saw other recent changes to its board, including Ryan Hill being reappointed while Dr Sipho Sithole and David Alexander stepping down. The Publisher vacancy has not yet been filled and no nominations were received from SAMRO’s members.
Recently, SAMRO also appointed Annabell Lebethe as its new CEO, who stepped into the role on 1 January 2023. Lebethe was appointed following a long and exhaustive search by the SAMRO board, and the organisation is confident that she possesses the right qualities and experience to lead it into the future.
“As she takes over the reins, SAMRO is satisfied that it is now firmly positioned to create more value for the creators and users of music. The organisation has a solid foundation for achieving its long-term goals, most notably to reach R1 billion in revenue by 2025,” says Maweni
“Appointing a female CEO speaks to the fact that SAMRO is serious about driving its transformation agenda and the move is also in line with SAMRO’s continuous efforts to empower women within the South African music industry, as well as in society as whole.”
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