Owen Ndlovu honored in South Africa for defending musicians’ rights — TimesLIVE
A memorial ceremony for radio host and music rights activist Owen Ndlovu was held in Randburg, South Africa. Relatives, friends and representatives of the music industry gathered at Walter Sisulu Hall to honor his memory, TimesLIVE reports.
Ndlovu died at the age of 54 on September 16. According to police, his body was found near a road in Tokoza the following morning after he was abducted near a church in Katlehong, where he had gone to pick up his wife.
Defending artists’ rights
Participants in the ceremony remembered Ndlovu as a consistent defender of the economic rights of artists and composers. Music consultant Vusi Leeuw, who had known him for more than 30 years since their time at JoziFM, called Ndlovu one of the pioneers of community radio broadcasting in South Africa.
Eugene Mthethwa, head of the rights group Artists United, performer and EFF member of parliament, said that Ndlovu defended the rights of composers using his own resources. According to him, the bag in which Ndlovu’s body was found contained documents from the South African Music Rights Organisation, Samro.
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Mthethwa also said that Ndlovu sued Samro and won a case against the organization’s CEO, who, he claimed, had barred the activist from the Samro building.
Memories from colleagues and family
Singer Mercy Pakela said that Ndlovu helped her find a lawyer on a pro bono basis for a dispute with Samro over unpaid music royalties dating back to 1990. According to her, Ndlovu exposed corruption and problems within the organization.
Actress and arts activist Joy Mbewana said that Ndlovu was prepared to take risks for the truth and that the struggle for artists’ rights must continue. The memorial ceremony was held on the birthday of his son Ovetu, who spoke alongside his brothers and shared lessons learned from his father.
Mthethwa also said that he had made efforts to have Ndlovu buried at Heroes’ Acre in Pretoria, where prominent public figures are buried.
