Nomcebo Zikode To Appeal Court Decision After Losing Jerusalema Royalties Case

The Grammy Award-winning vocalist maintains she hasn’t received proper compensation for her work on the international phenomenon “Jerusalema.”

Artistic Contributions Unrewarded

Through her company Emazulwini Productions, Zikode released an official statement expressing profound disappointment with the May 9th judgment from the Pretoria High Court.

The artist’s claim that she’s never received recording royalties for her seminal contribution to the chart-topping anthem is at the heart of the controversy.

“Despite her pivotal role in a cultural milestone that united and inspired millions across the globe, she continues to face a lack of transparency and meaningful accountability from those who have profited from her work.

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The vocalist’s legal team is meticulously reviewing the full judgment before deciding on their next steps. Zikode’s camp contends the ruling fails to address what they describe as systemic issues plaguing African artists—unfair contracts and corporate exploitation of creative talent.

Nomcebo Zikode To Appeal Court Decision

Court documents reveal the judgment hinged partly on procedural matters. The court noted Zikode’s team opted for motion proceedings rather than action proceedings, an approach ill-suited for resolving factual disputes. This technical distinction proved significant in the outcome.

Previous Settlement Agreement Factors In

The dispute follows an earlier settlement between the parties that became a court order. Zikode later returned to court, alleging Open Mic’s non-compliance regarding accounting transparency—claims the court ultimately rejected while instructing the artist to fulfill her own contractual obligations.

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Zikode’s statement positions her legal struggle as emblematic of wider industry challenges: “This isn’t just about me—it’s about every African artist facing unfair deals and corporate gatekeeping. The fight for transparency and proper compensation continues.”

The “Jerusalema” hitmaker expressed gratitude for public support while vowing to pursue all available legal options. The music industry watches closely as this high-profile case may set important precedents for artist-label relationships across the continent.