Executives and Staff

Non-executives

Directors
Thando Makhunga (Chair)

Thando Makhunga (Chair)

Downtown Music Publishing Africa

Thando is a South African music business executive and the Managing Director of Downtown Music Publishing Africa, the largest independent music publisher in Africa which has a 25-year track record of success in the music industry. DMP Africa is part of Downtown Music Holding, a global independent rights management and music services company based in New York. Thando has worked on the continent to drive collaboration, knowledge sharing, and improved access to information on publishing and the rights of creators.

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.

Ryan Hill

Ryan Hill

Universal Music Publishing

With over 24 years of industry experience and a Master’s in music composition, Ryan Hill is a respected figure in South African music publishing. He brings his expertise to shaping long-term industry development.

As the Managing Director of Universal Music Publishing, Ryan is passionate about protecting and developing creators and small businesses in the sector. His vision for a better music industry is clear through his proven commitment to supporting and developing local structures. He’s a co-founder of both the MPA SA and CAPASSO, and he serves as a non-executive director at the Southern African Music Rights Organization.

Ryan’s experience in music publishing spans composing, copyright administration, licensing, advocacy, A&R, songwriting camps, and opening opportunities for local creators in the global market. His influence extends to West and East Africa, where he’s curated songwriting events and contributed to industry leadership and copyright law reform. He also secured the first major regional digital license for the local music publishing industry, has played an active role in copyright law reform and is a dynamic presenter and educator. Whether it’s private school Amapiano or classical piano, music is his first love.

Karabo Ndobela

Karabo Ndobela

Prez Record Music

Karabo Ndobela is a business development and project management professional with over a decade of experience across the music, marketing, and entertainment industries. His work focuses on building strategic partnerships, developing commercial opportunities, and supporting sustainable growth within the evolving music ecosystem.

He is the founder of Prez Record Music, an independent music publishing company established in 2022 and co-founded with Sanele Mthethwa. The company was created to support songwriters and creators by providing a platform that strengthens music publishing, protects creative rights, and enables long-term career development.

Through its focus on music publishing administration, rights management, and songwriter development, Prez Record Music works to ensure that creators are properly represented and compensated for their work. The company also prioritizes strategic industry partnerships and responsible business practices that contribute to a more equitable and sustainable music industry.

Rob Cowling (Vice Chair)

Rob Cowling (Vice Chair)

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.

Rowlin Naicker

Rowlin Naicker

Sony/ATV Music Publishing

Rowlin Naicker embarked on his musical journey at Primedia Music in 1999, later transitioning to Electromode Music. In 2005, he joined EMI Records as Royalty Manager, overseeing royalty accounting for artists and composer/publisher royalties. By 2007, he assumed the role of Head of Finance and Music Publishing at Sony/ATV. In 2012, he was promoted to General Manager, playing a crucial role in the global acquisition of EMI Music Publishing’s South African branch.

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.

Malcom Burger

Malcom Burger

Peermusic

Cape Town based Malcolm Burger has spent the last 29 years immersed in various facets of the music. Eventually starting a career in publishing 21 years ago with Peermusic, the largest independent music publisher in the world, he has been the General Manager in South Africa since 2016. Malcolm has significant experience in copyright, royalty administration, finance, A&R, and other general publishing interests. Personal interests include writing, recording, and performing of music.
Reuben Makondo (Treasurer)

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.

Shiran Weltsman

Shiran Weltsman

Stella June Pty Ltd

Shiran, a business enthusiast since an early age, has explored diverse industries, including finance, pharmaceuticals, and healthcare. Over the past 13 years, her passion has led her to excel in the dynamic media and music sector, where she thrives on innovation and forward thinking.

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).

Natalie Sanderson

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.

Tumi Mogapi

Tumi Mogapi

Africori

Tumi Mogapi is currently the Head of Publishing at Africori Music Group and the Co-Founder and Vice-Chair of Development & Partnerships at Women in Music South Africa. Her day-to-day work involves managing songwriters and publishers’ music rights while also assisting music users and creatives with all kinds of music rights services. She has over 15 years of experience in the music industry, having worked for collecting bodies and music publishers, namely SAMRO, NORM, Gallo Music Publishers, Sheer Publishing, and also some consulting work through her own company, Culture Coins.
Geoff Paynter

Geoff Paynter

Geoff Paynter Music Publishing

Geoff Paynter, an independent music publisher, served as M.D. of Gallo Music Publishers for two decades and held a Board Director position at SAMRO for much of that time. With nearly 50 years of experience in record companies like Teal Zambia, Gallo, and WEA, he has been running his own music publishing company since 2008. Paynter played a pivotal role in overseeing the international careers of artists such as Ladysmith Black Mambazo, Lucky Dube, and the Mahotella Queens. His extensive travels in Africa contributed to promoting East African and Congolese Rumba music in Central Africa, Zimbabwe, and South Africa in the seventies and eighties. Notably, he played a key role in reviving Mahlithini’s career in the 1980s and successfully contributed to Mango Groove’s recordings and publishing at Gallo. Additionally, he orchestrated the “Heinz” advertising campaign that propelled Ladysmith Black Mambazo to chart and sell over 1 million albums in the UK.

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.

Craig McGahey

Craig McGahey

Mama Dance Music Solutions

Craig has been in the music business for over two decades now, running recording studios, record labels, music publishing companies and production music libraries.

He is kept busy watching global library business trends, listening to the ever evolving music of Africa and maintaining quality relationships with the many composers and clients attracted to the dynamic Mama Dance operation.

Based in Cape Town, he and the team are just a call or email away for friendly advice and proper service.

Staff
Kabelo Mpolenyane

Kabelo Mpolenyane

Operations Assistant

As a marketing co-ordinator with a huge passion for music, Kabelo specialized in social media management, content creation, and digital marketing strategy. Kabelo provided a warm, personal, yet objective perspective to all his marketing projects at Maluti Digital and SABC Corporate Marketing.

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.

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