Piracy Is Robbing Africa’s Creators — And the Industry’s Fighting Back
Copyright attorney Chola Makgamathe isn’t mincing words: piracy is wrecking South Africa’s creative industries. “The economic consequences are devastating,” she warns—and the stats back her up.
MultiChoice and Irdeto, two heavyweights in the anti-piracy space, are responding with real heat. In the 2025 financial year alone, they disconnected nearly 49 000 pirate streaming users—a 63% spike from the year before. Add to that targeted raids like the takedown of illegal operation Waka TV, and the message is clear: this is war.
But this isn’t just about protecting a pay-TV business model. It’s about protecting the people who make the music, the films, the stories. Every illegal stream chips away at the livelihoods of African artists, producers, editors, engineers, and crews. It dulls the shine of a continent rich with talent—and it makes the business of being a creator that much harder.
Piracy doesn’t just hurt companies — it silences stories.
Downtown Music Publishing Africa stands with every creator fighting to own their narrative. We believe in fair pay, legal protections, and a system that rewards the work behind the soundtracks of our lives. This moment calls for more than legal action—it demands cultural defense.
What needs to happen?
- Stronger laws, better enforcement: Loopholes get closed. Pirates get caught. Rights get respected.
- Public education: People need to know piracy isn’t harmless. It’s theft. It’s exploitation. It’s blocking African voices.
- Creator solidarity: From sync deals to stream splits, we’ve got to make sure rights holders are protected across the board.
This isn’t just a broadcast issue. It’s a creator rights issue. And in Africa’s creative economy, that matters more than ever.
We protect music because it protects us. And we won’t let piracy steal our future.
Source: MyBroadband
