Directors

Thando Makunga (Chair)
Sheer Publishing
She has an extensive background in broadcasting having started her career at Deloitte followed by programming roles at Kagiso Media. She has held executive roles at Primedia Broadcasting where she was Group Music Manager for KFM, 702, CapeTalk and 947 the largest commercial broadcaster in South Africa where she was Station Manager for 3 years. She has been instrumental in creating opportunities for women and the youth in the media industry and implemented strategic initiatives within the organisation to identify and develop talent. She works privately as an executive and management coach with clients in the creative and corporate industry.

Rob Cowling
Gallo Music Publishers
Rob Cowling has 25 years experience in the music business. From retail to co-ownership of an independent record label and publisher, to head of Gallo, a 93 year old “major independent” housing Gallo Music Publishers and Gallo Record Company. Cowling is also on the board of Directors of South African music Industry Trade bodies RISA and RAV, and has a wealth of experience in recording rights & copyrights, label & publishing services, A&R, marketing and running label support for the IDOLS SA franchise. In 2019 Cowling was acknowledged in Billboard magazine’s “International Power Players List” as one of the top global music executives driving the industry’s success outside the U.S.

Malcom Burger
Peermusic

Ryan Hill (Vice Chair)
Universal Music Publishing

Rowlin Naicker
Sony/ATV Music Publishing
In 2016, Rowlin became Managing Director of Sony/ATV and EMI Music Publishing, overseeing acts like Abdullah Ibrahim, Joyous Celebration, Jack Parow, Arno Carstens, and Theo Kgosinkwe (Mafikizolo). He renewed legacy agreements and secured notable signings such as Simphiwe Dana, DJ Maphorisa, Matthew Mole, Mi Casa, Bongeziwe Mabandla, Kid Fonque, and Samthing Soweto. Rowlin serves as Chairman of MPA SA, a Non-Executive Board Member of SAMRO, and is a FINCOMM member of CAPASSO, bringing two decades of industry experience and a passion for promoting South African music globally.

Natalie Sanderson
David Gresham Entertainment
Natalie Sanderson is the CFO of The David Gresham Entertainment Group and has 25 years’ experience in Africa’s Music Industry. She sits on the Board of Directors for The Music Publishers Association of South Africa (MPASA), RISA Audio Visual (RAV) and The South African Music Rights Organization (SAMRO). With her knowledge and experience, Natalie brings key insight to all her positions to actively find solutions in the shifting landscape of the music industry from copyright issues to technological innovations.

Shiran Weltsman
Stella June Pty Ltd
As a Co-founder of Stella June Pty Ltd, an Independent Record label, Publishing, and Media House, Shiran embraces her entrepreneurial spirit. Additionally, she holds certification as a Neuro Linguistic Programming Practitioner.
With a strong belief in empowering women in business and music, Shiran actively contributes her time to organizations promoting shared interests in South Africa and internationally. She currently serves as the Vice-Chair of Membership for Woman in Music South Africa and holds key roles in the CAPASSO CSI Committee and the Music Publishers Association of South Africa (MPASA).

Reuben Makondo (Treasurer)
EMI Music Publishing
Reuben joined Sony/ATV Music Publishing heads the finance department. His primary role is to provide support to the organization and improve decision-making by providing pertinent information that drives pricing, appraisal of catalogue(s) and artists, evaluating investments/transactions, revenue maximization among a variety of duties.
He holds a Bachelor of Commerce with honours in Accounting from the University of Johannesburg. Reuben trained with Deloitte, worked in the finance departments at M-Net and Lee Executive Imaging with a key focus on financial reporting and investment analysis. The experience enabled him to learn important skills and to develop the smarts needed to succeed in a competitive environment.

Louise Bulley
VV Publishing
Louise Bulley has been in the production music industry since 2003, starting at the then NORM, as the production music manager.
There was a brief time at SAMRO and from there she went to Synchro Music Management in March 2008 and left in October 2018, as the Managing Director of Synchro Music.
This year, 2019, she has joined the Mama Dance Music team and is currently with them, working from Johannesburg for the team.
Miss Bulley is a member of the Production Music South Africa (PMSA).

Moonga Mkandawire
Mpezeni Street Holdings
He is the founder and managing director of Mpezeni Street Holdings. Mpezeni Street Holdings is the parent company for all his business ventures and is pioneering how songwriters and music artists can build successful companies on the foundation of their talent and brands.
For MPASA, he sits on the following committees:
- Government and Trades Relations (Chair) and represents the MPASA on SAMIC as well as MOSHITO.
- R&D, Governance and Best Practice.
- Membership, Workshops and Social Media.
Moonga is committed to growing the creative industries in Africa through research and creating links with other sectors. His past work includes facilitating the relationship between SAMRO and DownTown Music Hub which led to a SAMRO Hub at the studios.

Geoff Paynter
Geoff Paynter Music Publishing
Geoff Paynter has been actively involved in legal battles for composers’ rights, including the “Mbube”/”Lion Sleeps Tonight” case, the litigation against Helmut Lotti in a Belgian Court, and the defense of composer’s rights in the long-running “Umoja” and “SARRAL” legal cases. As a strong advocate of ‘good governance,’ he emphasizes the importance of “maximizing royalty distributions” to members. Serving on the Board of MPASA and its predecessor NORM since 1988, Paynter continues to contribute significantly to the music industry.
Staff

Tsenolo Ntsane
Operations Manager
Her role in the corporate sector of the music publishing industry began at Universal Music Publishing, where she played a large role in the organizing of the annual Universal South Speaks Song Writers’ Camp. She has been instrumental in facilitating collaborations among writers and publishers. As Operations Manager of the Association, her focus now is on the music copyright landscape and the interests and protection of rights holders in the music industry.

Kabelo Mpolenyane
Operations Assistant
As a member of the Damien Keys Music Academy, an IMM Graduate School student, and Damelin Graduate, Kabelo learned how to market and promote his own music, and always works to create sustainable growth on every project he undertakes through creative and engaging content on social media.