Oshakati — Oshana Regional Governor, Clemens Kashuupulwa, on Monday officially opened the offices of the Namibia Society of Composers and Authors of Music (Nascam) here.

He described the occasion as significant for Oshakati, the music industry and the region.

The new Nascam offices are located at the Ministry of Information and Communication Technology's regional offices in Oshakati.

Kashuupulwa said Nascam has made a big contribution to Namibia's music industry. He praised the work of the society and called on interested composers and authors to rally behind Nascam.

"I have come to realize that copyright matters are very much a backbone of every progressing and successful economy, because its basic notion is the recognition and protection of the creations of the mind. However, there is still a need to improve the protection of the intellectual assets of music artists and authors as we promote the Namibian music industry," he noted.

The governor said the music industry is contributing to increased employment opportunities and economic prosperity and should therefore be protected.

Said Kashuupulwa: "As a nation, we rely on our own music industry for education, information and entertaining our people in their diverse cultural identities. It is our duty as Government of the people, by the people and for the people to protect and promote this fast-growing industry through the Copyright and Neighbouring Rights Protection Act of 1994."

He commended Nascam and the Namibian Police Force for confiscating 900 illegal DVDs and CD's valued at N$45,000 earlier this year.

"We cannot allow the illegal reproduction of compact discs in this country. People must stop this practice so as to recognize the work of music artists," he said

At the same occasion, founding member of Nascam and its former director of media, audio visual and copyright services and current chairman, Tarah Shinavene, gave a presentation on copyright.

Shinavene spearheaded efforts to pass the Copyright and Neighbouring Rights Bill through parliament. This enabled the establishment of Namibia's only musical works collective management organization, Nascam.

The Nascam chief executive officer, John Max, commended his staff for registering a large number of jukeboxes in the north. He appealed for further cooperation from business owners.

"Help safeguard and preserve all that is good and worthwhile in a peaceful, prosperous and law-abiding society. You can do your bit by simply reporting any blatant breaches of copyright law, instances of piracy and the sale or manufacture of fake or counterfeit goods. You can do this anonymously with us here at the Nascam offices. Please also register your jukeboxes in order to obtain a licence to operate," he said.

He called on businesses to "respect the true value"of music, movies, merchandise and software by buying only from legitimate sources.

Max asked the Osha-kati Town Council to avail land to the institution for it to establish a permanent office in the region.

Representatives of the police as well as a handful of local musicians attended the event.