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Moshito is fast becoming the world's leading African music conference and exhibition, and once again it brings industry experts to town.
SEMINAL and somewhat contentious issues germane to the music fraternity will be thrashed out at the sixth annual Moshito music conference and exhibition, which starts in Newtown, Joburg's cultural precinct early next month.
Tzu-fan
Themed "The business of music," the four-day conference and trade fair - Moshito '09 - is scheduled to take place at Museum Africa from 2 to 5 September.
The annual music conference and exhibition will hammer out a range of topical issues in plenary, breakaway and hot seat sessions. Pertinent issues on the agenda that a panel of industry experts will deliberate upon include piracy, new music markets, music industry challenges and socio-economic development; technology, the digital aspect of the global music business; as well as live music and performances.
Other issues like how to build a hip-hop economy in Africa, altering technology trends, the current quota system and exporting South African music to the world will also come under the spotlight.
"We are confident that the 2009 event is going to deliver a stimulating and engaging conference programme, a really substantial expo, excellent live showcases and enjoyable fringe events," says Andre le Roux, the chairman of Moshito.
The word "moshito" is a derivative of a Sepedi word meaning "the rhythm". The conference and expo is tailored to broaden the business acumen of people in the music industry, strengthen their business networks and spread the word to delegates, traders and the public about the comprehensive nature of the music industry.
Platform
It presents a platform for artists and songwriters, distributors, producers, music admirers, engineers, music producers and promoters, record company executives and the media from all corners of the globe to network, exchange valuable insights and thoughts, showcase their goods and services and socialise.
"With the global economic recession and the pressures on the music industry both in Africa and abroad, it's imperative [that] Moshito offers the space for valuable networking and information sharing and gathering," Le Roux notes.
Jonathan Crossley
More than 700 delegates and industry experts from around the world are expected to turn out for the conference. This year, Le Roux notes, Moshito intends to safeguard its reputation as Africa's leading music industry event "capable of attracting a global audience".
Moshito is sanctioned and sponsored by the City of Joburg and the national Department of Arts and Culture, the SABC, Gearhouse South Africa, the South African Music Rights Organisation and Business and Arts South Africa. It is organised in partnership with the Gauteng provincial department of sport, arts, culture and recreation.
International speakers include Professor Matt Jenson, Phil Tripp, Ray Phiri, Mabusha Masekela and Yusuf Mahmoud, among others.
"We have every intention of turning Moshito into a global brand that is recognised around the world as the premier African music market. Already we have gone a long way to achieving that in our first five years but the ongoing activities of the Moshito staff and the upcoming conference and expo will only add to the momentum that is already established," explains Le Roux.
He says Moshito has a mandate and a commitment to ensure that information is shared and to "take the rhythm of the music business across Africa and beyond".
"For us the September event is the culmination of everything that we do as an organisation from year to year ... We're aiming even higher this year."
Registration for Moshito '09 is R500 per delegate; however, companies or groups of 10 or more music professionals can pay R400. Music students booking in groups of 10 or more will receive a 40 percent discount and pay R300 per delegate. The fee gives delegates access to all conference sessions, the trade exhibition, workshops and a cocktail party.
To register for the sixth annual Moshito music conference and exhibition log on to Tune Gum . Seats are limited; musicians, music executives and the like who have not yet signed up have been urged to register now.
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