A significant moment has arrived for Africa’s music rights landscape. In a historic leadership transition, CAPASSO (Composers, Authors and Publishers Association) has announced the appointment of two prominent women to guide the organisation into its next chapter.
The Johannesburg-based digital rights collection management society has welcomed Meladi Mampane as Independent Chairperson of the Board and Brenda Mtambo as Deputy Chairperson, marking a landmark shift in leadership at one of Africa’s most influential music rights institutions.
The appointments represent more than routine governance changes — they signal a new era for an organisation responsible for protecting and managing the digital reproduction rights of composers, authors and publishers across the continent.
A Historic First for CAPASSO
The appointments carry powerful symbolic significance.
Meladi Mampane becomes the first woman to serve as Independent Chairperson of the CAPASSO Board since the organisation’s inception. Her appointment alongside Brenda Mtambo also marks the first time the board’s leadership is held by two women simultaneously, reinforcing the organisation’s commitment to inclusive representation in the music rights sector.
Their leadership follows the completion of six-year board tenures by former Chairperson Leslie Sedibe and Deputy Chair Dr Yvonne Chaka Chaka, who helped guide CAPASSO through an important period of growth and development.
A Governance Leader with Strategic Expertise
Mampane brings decades of professional experience to the role.
She is the co-founder of Maletchaba Human Capital, and first joined the CAPASSO (Composers, Authors and Publishers Association) board in 2021 as the Independent Chairperson of the Remuneration Committee (REMCOM).
In that capacity, she played a key role in shaping governance and operational strategy within the organisation.
An accomplished human resources expert, Mampane has more than 25 years of experience across multiple areas including:
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Transformation management consulting
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Corporate governance
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Marketing strategy
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Strategic empowerment implementation
Her leadership track record also includes being nominated as Entrepreneur of the Year by the National Youth Development Agency (NYDA).
Speaking about her appointment, Mampane emphasised the responsibility that comes with safeguarding the interests of creators in a rapidly evolving industry.
“It is a privilege to step into the role of Independent Chairperson at CAPASSO,” she said. “The creative sector depends on strong governance and ethical leadership to protect and empower composers, authors and publishers. My focus will be on ensuring that the organisation continues to operate with integrity, clarity of purpose and a commitment to delivering meaningful value to its members.”
An Artist’s Voice in the Boardroom
Joining her in leadership is Brenda Mtambo, a multi-award-winning singer, songwriter and entrepreneur whose deep understanding of the music business offers a valuable perspective for the organisation.
Mtambo joined the CAPASSO (Composers, Authors and Publishers Association) board in 2024 as a Composer Member and currently serves on several committees, including as Chairperson of the Remuneration Committee.
She is also the founder of BUSA Music, her own music enterprise, and has built a reputation as an advocate for women’s empowerment, music education and mental wellness within the creative sector.
Her appointment as Deputy Chairperson brings the perspective of an active creator directly into the governance structures responsible for managing music rights.
“Serving as Deputy Chairperson of CAPASSO is both an honour and a responsibility I carry with deep respect,” Mtambo said. “As a composer, I understand firsthand the importance of protecting intellectual property and building systems that genuinely serve creators.”
She added that her focus would be on strengthening representation and ensuring that the organisation evolves to deliver long-term value for the music community.
“I am committed to ethical leadership, inclusive representation and ensuring that CAPASSO continues to evolve in ways that secure long-term value for composers and publishers alike.”
Leadership for a Digital Music Era
The appointments come at a time when the global music industry is undergoing profound transformation.
Digital streaming, online distribution and new licensing frameworks have fundamentally reshaped how music is created, distributed and monetised. For organisations like CAPASSO (Composers, Authors and Publishers Association), the ability to navigate these changes is critical to ensuring that creators receive fair compensation for their work.
CAPASSO CEO Jotam Matariro expressed strong confidence in the new leadership team, noting that Mampane’s governance expertise and Mtambo’s creative industry insight will strengthen the organisation’s future direction.
Matariro highlighted Mampane’s contribution over the past five years, particularly her leadership of the remuneration committee.
“During her tenure as REMCOM Chair, she demonstrated a profound understanding of the complexities of the collective management business and a masterful command of independent governance,” he said.
“As we navigate an evolving digital landscape in music consumption, I am confident that her strategic vision and growing industry expertise will be invaluable to our success.”
Bridging Creators and Policy
Matariro also emphasised the importance of Mtambo’s transition from artist to board leader.
“Having served alongside her on the Board for the past year, I have been deeply impressed by the unique perspective she brings as one of the few active singer-songwriters to transition into the boardroom,” he said.
Her experience as a working musician, he noted, creates a critical bridge between the technical world of music rights management and the realities faced by creators.
“Her firsthand experience as a creator, combined with her dedication to the technicalities of managing music rights, provides the Board with an essential bridge between industry policy and the artist community.”
A New Chapter for African Music Rights
The leadership appointments arrive at a moment when African music is gaining unprecedented global attention.
As the continent’s creative industries expand, organisations responsible for protecting intellectual property play an increasingly important role in ensuring that artists, composers and publishers benefit from the value their work generates.
With Meladi Mampane and Brenda Mtambo now guiding its board leadership, CAPASSO (Composers, Authors and Publishers Association) enters a new chapter — one shaped by governance expertise, artistic insight and a shared commitment to empowering the creators who define Africa’s vibrant music culture.
