Noluthando Mthonti-Mlambo speaks to Thando Makhunga, the Managing Director of Sheer Publishing, the largest independent music publisher in Africa and a longstanding advocate for creators’ rights across Africa.

Global music company Downtown Music Holdings three years ago acquired South Africa-based Sheer Music Publishing. Building on a long-standing relationship between Sheer and Downtown’s eponymous music publishing division, the acquisition saw the expansion of the company’s geographic footprint to the African continent, while also providing the African music industry greater access to artist and label services available through Downtown.

Sheer continues to function as a standalone business within Downtown’s portfolio of music publishing, distribution, monetisation, artist, and label services businesses. As part of a broader enterprise, Sheer has been tasked with ensuring that African creators receive proper compensation for their work in partnership with other Downtown companies, including CD Baby, Songtrust and FUGA.