Frequently Asked Questions

For those who are already members

  • You can check your membership number by visiting our website, sampra.org.za.
  • Click on Membership and select Member Search Database Recording Artists if you are a recording artist/performer.
  • Enter your name on the Search functionality and proceed to search.
  • If searching on behalf of a record company, click on the Membership tab and then select Member Search Database Record Companies.
  • Enter the name of the record company and proceed to search.
  • Alternatively, you can request your membership number by sending an email request to info@sampra.org.za with your full name and surname as well as your ID number.
  • Our members (recording artists and record companies) whose music has been used by SAMPRA licensed music users.
  • A list of SAMPRA licensed music users is available here.
  • We have our Primary Distribution in August of each year. We also have a Non-Royalty Revenue/Interest Distribution in December of each year.
  • We also pay out royalties throughout the year. For example, new members don’t have to wait for August to get paid. If they join SAMPRA at any time of the year and there are royalties that are due to them, then payment is made.
  •  We also pay royalties, on a regular basis, to members who notify new and old tracks that have earned royalties but were previously unnotified/undocumented.

How are royalties in a track split between different performers?

If a track has: Featured Performer and Sessionists/Non-Featured Performers:

  • 65% goes to Featured Performer/s
  • 35% goes to Sessionists/Non-Featured Artists

If a track has: Featured Performer + Other Featured Performer + Sessionists/Non-Featured Performers:

  • 65% goes to Featured Artist/s and Other Featured Artist/s
  • 35% goes to Sessionists/Non-Featured Artists

If a track has Featured Performers only, like in a band:

  • 100% divided equally between band members
  • When we know which tracks you performed in and what role (Featured, Other Featured or Non-Featured) you played in the recording, then whenever those tracks are used by our licensed music users, we can allocate royalties to you.

Option 1: Notify as a Performer - SAMPRA Connect

  • Visit our member portal, https://connect.sampra.org.za/login
  • Click Sign In to access the member portal and enter your user details.
  • Go to the My Music tab and select Notify My Tracks.
  • Before notifying the track, check if the track has not been notified before. You can do this by searching using the track name. You can also search by using the Featured Performer. If the track is not notified, then proceed to notify it by selecting Add New Track and entering the track information.
  • Should you need assistance with your application, you can email us at info@sampra.org.za or call 011 561 9660 during office hours.

Option 2: Notify as a Record Company – SAMPRA Website

  • Visit our website, sampra.org.za
  • Click Membership and select Record Company Notification of Tracks.
  • To notify as a record company, simply fill in this spreadsheet (Insert link) and email it back to us at info@sampra.org.za

Option 3: Notify as a Record Company - Email

  • To notify as a record company, you can send an email to info@sampra.org.za and request that a Repertoire Notification Form be sent to you.
  • Visit our member portal, https://connect.sampra.org.za/login
  • Click Sign In to access the member portal and enter your user details.
  • Once you have signed in, click the drop-down menu on your left and click Works then select SAMPRA Music Collection and click on Search Tracks. You can search using track name, and you can also search using the Featured Performer’s name.  
  • If the track has been notified, click on the track title to claim it.
  • If the track has not been notified, select Add New Track and proceed to enter your details ensuring that you indicate your role.  
  • Visit our member portal, https://connect.sampra.org.za/login  
  • Click Sign In to access the member portal and enter your user details.
  • Click the Profile Account tab which displays your name and surname. Select the drop-down menu and click the Banking Details tab to update your details.
  • You will be required to attach a letter from your bank that confirms your new banking details. This letter should not be older than 3 months.
  • Should you need assistance with your application, you can email us at info@sampra.org.za or call 011 561 9660 during office hours.
  • Visit our member portal, https://connect.sampra.org.za/login
  • Click Sign In to access the member portal and enter your user details.
  • Click the Profile Account tab which displays your name and surname. Select the drop-down menu and click the Personal Details tab to update your contact details.
  • Once we receive your request, we will review it and advise on the status of your request within 5 working days.
  • Once you have been confirmed as a Full Member and you have earned at least R3000 in royalties, SAMPRA will automatically contribute premiums on your behalf.
  • Kindly note that the premiums paid on behalf of our members are a value-added service and we do not at any stage, deduct them from members’ royalties.
  • In a case of a death of the spouse and/or qualifying biological children, kindly complete the Deceased Claim Form and submit the required documents to info@sampra.org.za.
  • You can also email info@sampra.org.za to request that a Deceased Claim Form be emailed to you.
  • Remember that in order to claim from the Funeral Benefit Scheme, you must have earned a minimum of R3000 in royalties.
  • Whether the station is licensed or not.
  • If the station is not licensed, no royalties are payable.
  • If the station is licensed, then the royalties will be calculated by considering the licence fee payable for that licensing period, number of tracks used by the station in the licensing period, as well as duration the track was played during the licensing period.
  • Kindly visit samprafund.co.za to get information on the SAMPRA Development Fund.