Twenty-Five Thousand Rand Writing Grant Empowers Authors: Call For 2018 Applications
The Academic and Non-Fiction Authors’ Association of South Africa (ANFASA) is currently accepting applications for its next round of the AGSA grant scheme to benefit authors of scholarly and general non-fiction works. Writers who are currently working on a book are encouraged to submit applications and the deadline is 30 September 2018.
The 2017 recipients of the grant include Bongani Ndodana-Breen for his work “Mzansi’s Other Voices” which provides a historical survey of the pre-1994 era in South African art music, beginning by addressing examples of Afrikaner nationalism that manifested in music from the 1950s through to the 1980s; Dr Same Mdluli’s “Traversing the Rural: Revisiting the work of South African artist Johannes Segogela” that considers the artist Johannes Segogela’s oeuvre and biography raising critical questions around the type of art produced by contemporary African artists and its placement within modernist history through certain exhibition practices, and scholar and political analyst Raymond Suttner’s “Memoirs”.
The grants are intended to provide a sum of around R25 000 to be used for an author to “buy time” – to take leave, for instance, and devote herself or himself to writing; or to travel in order to conduct research. The grants are for research and writing, and are not usually intended to cover the cost of publishing the manuscript although a grant could also be used to cover some editing costs, for instance, if properly motivated.
If you are currently working on a scholarly or a general non-fiction work, you are eligible to apply. However, if selected, only ANFASA members may actually receive an award.
What is a “general non-fiction work”? Just as an example, it could be a biography or an autobiography; a history of a town or a region or a religion; a book about music or sport or theatre; a political or social analysis; an account of everyday life in a township; a book about nursing, or cooking, or fashion, or fishes, or traditional medicines, or cars – those are just a few of the many topics supported by the ANFASA grant scheme in the past.
An independent committee will assess the applications and select the most deserving. The selection committee aims to offer awards to a wide-ranging group of authors and subjects, and the selection process will respect the need to treat new and experienced authors equally; to bear in mind authors writing in rural as well as urban locations; and to consider authors at all levels of education from the untutored to the degreed.
The ANFASA grant scheme especially encourages writing by new authors. Applications for books written in all the official languages will be equally considered.
Go to http://www.anfasa.org.za/anfasa-grant-scheme-for-authors-agsa-application-form-for-a-grant/ to apply online or send an e-mail to info@anfasa.org.za. The closing date for applications is 30 September, and the successful applications will be announced in December.
For media queries, interview requests and access to high resolution pictures contact JT Comms on media@jtcomms.co.za or 011 788 7632
Issued by JT Communication Solutions on behalf of ANFASA
Music Business Executive And Social Entrepreneur Gets Ready For Mrs Commonwealth SA Grand Finale
Mom and music business executive Fezeka Motsatse who left a lucrative career in corporate to become a stay at home mother and entrepreneur is making waves for the Motsatse empire and is a finalist in the 2018 Mrs Commonwealth SA pageant, which takes place in Johannesburg next month.
Spearheading Fezeka Motsatse Activations (FMA) as Managing Director, Mrs Motsatse is a mom who manages the careers of her two gifted daughters, virtuoso violinist Neo Motsatse and piano prodigy Teboho Motsatse.
Through FMA, a specialist music education organisation that facilitates the growth and development of musically gifted children, from basic music instruction into stage performance and audience satisfaction. Mrs Motsatse curates music development programmes and creates performance opportunities so that new audiences can experience the musical genius of so many under exposed talent to engage with new audiences.
To date, FMA has partnered with brands such as Nedbank, Bride and Co, Zanenza, the Department of Arts and Culture, Yamaha Theatre, Skoobs Theatre of Books and WIPHOLD. WIPHOLD is a proudly black women-owned investment company that was South Africa’s first BEE entity to establish a permanent, broad-based shareholding in 1997 through the creation of the WIPHOLD Investment Trust (WIT).
FMA is currently working on the production, “Letters With MaSisulu” in celebration of the life and centenary birthday of the late Albertina Sisulu which earned a Standard Bank Ovation Award at the 2018 National Arts Festival in July.
The Mrs Commonwealth SA pageant serves as a platform for women to bring about change to communities in need through projects that focus on social upliftment and also aims to empower women with knowledge to inspire other women and to bring change in their communities.
“When I look back on the journey I’ve taken, I feel no regrets on leaving my banking career to become a full-time stay at home mom, which afforded me the opportunity to spend more time with my children and play an active role in the honing of their careers and this has been an amazing experience full of special moments I would have missed if I was at work, away from home” says Fezeka.
“I also wanted to change the negative stereotype against being a stay at home mother, that women cannot lead fulfilling careers and lives outside of traditional workplace models. Also, many studies has found that the benefits of having a parent at home extend beyond the early years of a child's life. In a study where the educational performance of 68,000 children was measured, it was established that there was an increase in school performance all the way to high school-aged children. So, our roles as stay at home mothers are very important and should never be taken lightly”, further notes Motsatse.
“While I have not participated in any pageants before, I accepted the nomination to partake in the Mrs Commonwealth SA pageant on the premise of the values which the entity advocates for. Largely focusing its work on issues around women empowerment and other social impact initiatives” Fezeka adds.
Ahead of the Mrs Commonwealth SA final in October, Mrs Motsatse has supported various social awareness initiatives, some of which are under her NGO Girl Empowerment Global Network, including Girl Power South Africa which is aimed at empowering young girls to be independent and make change in their communities through active citizenship, leadership training and mentorship.
Friends Against Bullying is also part of their projects as well as, a book club which introduces children from informal settlements to literature, music and public speaking. Mrs Motsatse has also supported initiatives by Pink Drive, a Breast Cancer Awareness which is the official charity organization for the Mrs Commonwealth SA pageant.
Fezeka would like to thank all people who have supported on her Mrs Commonwealth SA journey, particularly Siya –Saran Learning Designs, Beloved Gatherings, Ultimate Lifestyle, Shifting Sands African Couture and SosoFab Lifestyle.
The Grand Finale will take place at Gold Reef City Casino at the spectacular Lyric Theatre on 12 October 2018. The tickets are available from Computicket. To support Motsatse on the Mrs Commonwealth SA pageant journey, SMS Fezeka to 35554.
For media enquiries, high res photos and interviews, kindly send an email to media@jtcomms.co.za or contact 011 7887632
Issued by JT Communication Solutions on behalf of Fezeka Motsatse
The City of Joburg, Executive Mayor Cllr Herman Mashaba will launch the 26th edition of the Arts Alive Festival on Friday, 31 August 2018 at Joburg Theatre in Braamfontein. The theme and programme for heritage month will be outlined on the day.
Well known as an event that has consistently brought in brilliant activities of arts and culture to the city, the Johannesburg Arts Alive Festival is ready to deliver yet another excellent programme showcasing the arts, across all genres.
The festival which is supported by The City of Johannesburg, is a celebration of Joburg’s diversity through events such as music, dance, theatre, community festivals, educational workshops and art exhibitions. It is a critical platform to bolster social cohesion. Arts Alive will start with its signature spring event, Jazz on the Lake at Zoo Lake on Sunday 2 September 2018. The much anticipated jazz event will usher in spring and set the tone for a sizzling summer.
This year, the festival has a huge focus on community based events for the youth with activities taking place in areas of the Inner City and the surround including Newtown and Hillbrow, as well as in other parts of the City such as Kliptown Square, Orlando, Alexandra, Rabie Ridge and Fine Town.
The Festival will also be partnering with a number of independent cultural organizations in hosting events such as Moshito Music Conference and Exhibition on 5-8 September in Newtown and The Heritage Unity Festival focusing on Urban Music on 15 September also in Newtown.
Some of the Arts Alive Highlights of 2018 include the following:
1) Jazz on the Lake at Zoo Lake: September 2: 10am – 5pm
Jazz on the Lake is a popular annual event on the Mzansi’s entertainement calendar. Artist expected to feature include Vusi Malhlasela, Oliver Mtukudzi and the The Jaziel Brothers.
2) The FNB Joburg Art Fair: September 6-9 at Sandton Convention Centre
The FNB Joburg Art Fair is Africa’s leading art event focused on contemporary art from the African Continent and the diaspora.
3) Global Dance Supreme: September 8-16 at Walter Sisulu Hall in Randburg
The first ever Africa and Inter- continental dance championship with over 15 countries participating.
4) The Cultural Festival: September 15 at Mary Fitzgerald Square, Newtown 10am to midnight. First 1000 tickets collected from the venue are free, thereafter R200
Various dance and music performances for the whole family will start from 10am to 5pm and Entrance is free. Then from 6pm onwards an exciting line-up of urban artists including Kwesta, Micasa, Sketchy Bongo and various Djs will take to the stage as part of the Heritage Unity Festival.
5) Youth Creativity and Culture Expression: September 16 at Kliptown Square, Soweto
A community event that features dance, music, poetry. Special guest artist Lady Zamar.
6) Tribute to Letta Mbuli, The Living Legend: September 24 at Orlando Communal Hall, Soweto
The community of Orlando pay tribute to a South African music icon with a concert in her honour.
Members of the media are invited to attend the launch of Arts Alive. Details of the briefing are as follows:
Date : 31 August 2018
Time : 10:00-12:00
Venue : The Brickhill, First Floor Foyer at Joburg Theatre
RSVP to Ayanda Radebe ayandar@joburg.org.za
Parking will be available at Metro Centre
ENDS
Issued by the City of Johannesburg
For media enquiries or interview requests or access to high res pictures contact JT Comms on media@jtcomms.co.za or 011 788 7632.
Distributed by JT Communication Solutions on Behalf of the City of Johannesburg
After an evening filled with dazzling performances of original South African music, two new SAMRO Overseas Scholarships winners were crowned on Saturday night – composers Andrew Hoole (Jazz) and Conrad Asman (Western Art Music).
University of Cape Town graduate Hoole and current UCT student Asman (who hails from Johannesburg) each won a R200 000 scholarship from the SAMRO Foundation to further their postgraduate studies, or professional development, abroad.
During a gala concert at Johannesburg’s Linder Auditorium on Saturday 18 August 2018, a number of South African composers – new and established – saw their works brought to life by accomplished local musicians.
A new award for composers, in honour of South Africa’s diverse and vibrant indigenous cultures, was also unveiled by SAMRO Foundation managing director André le Roux on the night: the Indigenous African Music Awards, for candidates who created the best work in each genre that incorporates indigenous styles and instruments.
Marcus Wyatt and the ZAR Jazz Orchestra performed Hoole’s winning compositions Bombero Suite (inspired by the soundtrack he wrote for the video game Flash Point: Fire Rescue) and Kind of Cool (a tribute to the “cool jazz” period epitomised by Miles Davis and Gil Evans).
Asman’s victorious compositionshisa nyama was conjured with style by Johannesburg Philharmonic Orchestra (JPO) musicians under the baton of Kutlwano Masote. Asman relates that he was inspired to write this “party” piece after thinking of how a South African braai brings people together to share in a fun, festive feast featuring a smorgasbord of flavours.
University of KwaZulu-Natal alumnus Riley Giandhari received the R70 000 runner-up award in the Jazz category, for his composition Answer the Call, also performed by Wyatt and the jazz orchestra. The composer says the piece was partly inspired after he once heard a cellphone ringing incessantly in a restaurant,prompting him to take his feeling of annoyance and put it into 7/4 time.
Giandhari also received the coveted Surendran Reddy clazz award for jazz, for his ability to expertly meld elements of different musical styles in the spirit of the influential late South African composer and pianist. Asman won the clazz award in the Western Art Music category. Both prizes are worth R10 000.
Reddy, who passed away in 2010 aged 47, devised the term “clazz” to describe his crossover musical style and his concept of composition and improvisation – a seamless fusion of classical, jazz, traditional African and other styles of world music.
Stellenbosch University graduate Lise Morrison was the runner-up in the Western Art Music category, receiving a R70 000 prize. Her workDololo (for flute, guitar, percussion and string trio) was composed with the mbira in mind, using the rhythm of the word “dololo” as a starting point. In addition, herTrio in Five Movements was inspired by the contrasts between the different landscapes and soundscapesshe has experienced during her travels. Both works were played by JPO musicians.
Morrison, who is currently based in The Hague, in the Netherlands, also walked off with the R30 000 SAMRO special award for Indigenous African Music in her category.
In addition to showcasing the works of these four finalists, the gala concert also offered another young jazz composer and competition semi-finalist, Ndabo Zulu, a platform on which to shine.
His work Umgidi, dedicated to the Nguni nation, was performed by Wyatt and the ZAR Orchestra. UKZN graduate Zulu, who is currently completing his master’s degree at the Norwegian Music Academy in Oslo, received the R30 000 Indigenous African Music Award in the jazz category.
During an evening dedicated to the special place that composers hold in society as creators of what Le Roux termed “the soundtrack to our lives”, other original indigenous compositions were also performed. Joe Makhanza’sMangwani mpulele is a Sotho folk song about lobola, and his Mbilu yi ri tukutuku is dedicated to all victims of crime.
As part of a special focus on Nelson Mandela to mark the 100th year of the late, great statesman’s birth, two tracks by accomplished composer and bass player Concord Nkabinde were performed: An Ideal to Die For and Time to Build (drawn from Madiba’s own speeches and words), and former SAMRO scholarship winner Darren English’s Pledge for Peace, part of a suite of three songs he composed to pay homage to the icon.
For more information, visit www.samrofoundation.org.za.
#OSchols | #SAMROMusic | #SAMROFoundation | #ConcertsSA
For media queries, high res photos and interview requests, please contact media@jtcomms.co.za or call 011 788 7632
Issued by JT Communication Solutions on behalf of the SAMRO Foundation - www.samrofoundation.org.za
Every year, as a lead up to the Moretele Park Tribute Concert, Drakensberg Promotions presents a music business workshop that has come to be an invaluable seminar for both novices and established practitioners wishing to learn more about the workings of the music industry.
All music industry stakeholders are invited to be part of a free in-depth discussion that delves into the state of the sector in general, and the live music scene in particular.
In conjunction with Batho Pele PTY LTD, Drakensberg Promotions will host a music business workshop, designed as a panel discussion and presented by top industry professionals aimed at musicians and others in the industry eager to know more about the business of music. The workshop will cover business operations, event production, royalties and the latest trends in the music industry.
Under the theme "Where Is The Money In The Music Business?", the workshop will cover topics such as ‘Mechanical Royalties’, ‘Unpacking Copyright In Music’, ‘The Art of Media’, ‘Production and Management’ and ‘Music Licensing’.
The interesting panel of music professionals will draw on their experiences, and share ideas aimed at ensuring that emerging music business practitioners know how to market their skills and develop their careers. Particularly planned to show how the music industry works, and help budding talent gain a foothold under the auspice of career development in the sector, the music business workshop has been an integral part of the Moretele Park Tribute Concert and is a highly needed and heralded initiative for the industry
Joining Victor Mamapane of Batho Pele to shed light on the myriad of complex elements that go into a successful career in the business will be panelists from CAPASSO, South African Music Rights Organisation (SAMRO), the DAC and other copyright and music business services experts.
“It is through a conscious undertaking as the Tribute Concert that we want to expose upcoming talent to knowledge that is beneficial to them and provide guidance as they tread in their careers and work towards becoming successful in their chosen music careers. We are delighted to have acclaimed subject matter experts, government and other stakeholders to ensure that the success of this workshop is a reality” ends Sam Mhangwane of Drakensberg Promotions.
The Tribute Concert Music Workshop will take place at the Eskia Mpahlele Library Hall, Sammy Marks Shopping Complex, corner Lillian Ngoyi and Madiba Street, Pretoria on 25 August 2018, from 09:00 to 14:00.
This FREE workshop is facilitated Drakensberg Promotions and to RSVP, contact Hlengiwe on drakensberg1@telkomsa.net, alternatively call 011 482 4973
Concert details
For event details contact (011)482 4937 – drakensberg1@telkomsa.net
For media queries, media accreditation, interview request, access to high res pics etc please contact JT Comms on media@jtcomms.co.za or (011) 788 7632
Issued by JT Communication Solutions on behalf of Drakensberg Promotions
James Urdang, a local social entrepreneur, is flying the SA flag in global markets having been named as one of 10 recipients worldwide of the Klaus J Jacobs Award for 2018. The Award honours social innovation and change-making in the field of child and youth development.
Urdang, who is the CEO & Founder of Education Africa, was mentored by Walter Sisulu and he is proud that his organisation’s model for social impact is being recognised world-wide in Nelson Mandela’s centenary year. Both statesmen supported various Education Africa projects.
Education Africa is an NPO whose focus is to break the cycle of poverty and educate a new generation of leaders through educational interventions and providing educational opportunities for various age groups among South Africa’s disadvantaged citizens. Its policy of “Making real change Happen” by implementing “Poverty alleviation through Education” is well documented since 1992, and in the past ten years alone the reach of Education Africa’s projects has impacted hundreds-of-thousands of learners.
Lavinia Jacobs, President of the Jacobs Foundation in Switzerland said, “James’ ongoing commitment and relentless personal engagement to break the cycle of poverty among South Africa’s disadvantaged people by providing educational opportunities for children and youth, is outstanding. He is beyond talking – he acts.”
Urdang receives CHF100 000.00 which has been earmarked specifically for the ongoing sustainability and development of Education Africa’s Early Childhood Development (ECD) project. This together with the 2018 Klaus J Jacobs Award will be presented at an Awards Ceremony in Zurich on 30 November.
Commenting on the announcement of the 2018 Klaus J Jacobs Award Kananelo Makhetha, President of Education Africa said, “This Award is well deserved and we are very proud and grateful that James Urdang’s efforts and commitment have received international recognition. James is a social entrepreneur and humanitarian of note. He has dedicated more than 28 years of his life to a cause that is very close to his heart - helping to bring about real, positive and meaningful change to the lives of disadvantaged South Africans.”
Ends.
For additional information, kindly contact James Urdang, CEO and Founder of Education Africa on 083 708 3499. Email: james@educationafrica.org
For media queries, media accreditation, interview requests and to access high resolution pictures contact JT Comms on media@jtcomms.co.za or 011 788 7632
Issued by JT Communication Solutions on behalf of Education Africa
In honour of our iqhawe Madiba - what is on the menu for the SAMRO Overseas Scholarships Competition for Composers on Saturday Night (18 August)
Disclaimer: This article refers metaphorically to the concert event's program as a menu and references to dinner should not be taken literally.
The SAMRO Foundation always does its best to create a vibrant and exciting platform to present its finalists at the concert evening and final round of the SAMRO Overseas Scholarships Competition. On Saturday a fabulous set-menu of mouthwatering music has been prepared for the spectacular evening.
As part of their commitment to the preservation and promotion of Southern African Indigenous Music, the SAMRO Foundation initiated its Indigenous African Music (IAM) project with the support of the US Ambassador’s Fund for Cultural Preservation in November 2017. While this ongoing project is still preparing written scores and materials, the SAMRO Foundation is honored to present the loaned exhibition of indigenous instruments from the National Archives of South Africa. To compliment these initiatives, indigenous music expert Joe Makhanza will be performing two works on the stage. Mangwani Mpulele is a Sotho song that addresses lobola issues between two families, and Mbilo yi ri tukutuku a song dedicated to victims of crime which will be performed after the interval. Apart from being amazing works in their own right, Makhanza’s compositions will be vital starters to whet the appetite of the audiences to listen for the influence of South African music in selected works composed by our finalists for which two new IAM awards have been created this year.
The Foundation’s focus is always on our young artists who have spent many years honing their musical skills to be considered for the prestigious awards. Placing them - as our main isidlo - they will be presented on the best possible platform by working with leading South African professionals in the music and production environment. This year we see five amazing young composers premiering their works at the Linder Auditorium, performed by members of the Johannesburg Philharmonic Orchestra and Marcus Wyatt’s ZAR Jazz Orchestra. The composers are Ndabo Zulu, Andrew Hoole, Riley Giandhari, Lise Morrison and Conrad Asman.
The SAMRO Foundation also enjoys interweaving the event with themes relevant to its mission and its partnerships. In the lobby of the Linder Auditorium audiences will be able to browse through a number of exhibitions, including the Life and Times exhibition from the Nelson Mandela Foundation, an exhibition of indigenous instruments provided by the National Archive, and prints from the Artist Proof Studio.
The SAMRO Foundation is proud and excited to be joined by the Nelson Mandela Foundation in celebrating the centenary of Madiba’s birth. Apart from the Life and Times exhibition, which presents the life and achievements of Madiba, the concert will also feature performances of works that were inspired by the Father of the Nation.
As the after-meal platter presentation there will be a collaborative effort between South Africa’s great Bass Player, Concord Nkabinde, and leading drummer and percussionist, David Klassen entitled Nelson Mandela – The Song Lives On. This project was formed in 2016 with initial support from the Concerts SA Fund, a project supported by the Royal Norwegian Embassy and the SAMRO Foundation. In this work of spoken-word recordings and visuals of Tata Mandela ‘are carefully interwoven with words, reminding us once again that the Long Walk to Freedom is far from over.’
Dessert will be performed by a laureate of the competition, Darren English, who has seen his career grow from strength to strength, and he will be performing his work Pledge for Peace that won the 2018 Global Peace Song Award. He is not an act to be missed.
It is no surprise the SAMRO Foundation is looking forward to an amazing evening of ugqozi nofuqufuqu (inspiration), music, and festivity.
The SAMRO Overseas Scholarships Competition will take place from 18:30 on Saturday 18 August at the Linder Auditorium in Johannesburg. Tickets can be purchased at Webtickets.
For more information, visit www.samrofoundation.org.za.
#OSchols | #SAMROMusic | #SAMROFoundation | #ConcertsSA
For interview requests, access to high res photos and media queries please contact Sinethemba on info@jtcomms.co.za or (011) 788 7632
Issued by JT Communication Solutions on behalf of SAMRO Foundation - www.samrofoundation.org.za
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SA All Star Band at the 2018 Rabobank Amersfoort Jazz Festival – left to right: Ntando Ngcapu, Thandi Nthuli, Keenan Ahrends, Benjamin Jephta, Darren English and Sphelelo Mazibuko
The Rabobank Amersfoort Jazz Festival is regarded as one of Europe’s hottest open-air jazz events. And sizzling South African jazz has become a much-anticipated staple on the programme menu in recent years, with several SAMRO Overseas Scholarships alumni heading to the Netherlands to perform original material, network, collaborate and return home feeling creatively reinvigorated.
Among the previous SAMRO scholarship alumni who have taken the historic Dutch city by storm in the past three years are Bokani Dyer, Linda Sikhakhane, Zoë Modiga, Mandla Mlangeni, Ntando Ngcapu, Thandi Ntuli, Benjamin Jeptha, Keenan Ahrends and Darren English. The excursions were made possible with support from SENA, the largest Collection Management Organisation for both performers and recording rightsholders in the Netherlands, and the SAMRO Foundation’s partnership with the UNISA Foundation.
Madiba magic at scholarships evening
| Trumpeter English, the winner of the 2012 SAMRO overseas scholarship for jazz instrumentalists, can be seen in action during the Concert Evening for this year’s SAMRO Overseas Scholarships Competition, taking place at the Linder Auditorium on Saturday 18 August 2018.
As part of the evening’s entertainment, English will perform Pledge for Peace, a suite written for Nelson Mandela, who would have turned 100 this year. Bassist Concord Nkabinde, another frequent SAMRO collaborator, in collaboration with David Klassen will be performing part of two songs from their project Nelson Mandela – The Song Lives On as a dedication to Madiba. |
Darren English at the 2018 Amersfoort Jazz Festival |
Both English and Nkabinde have had the pleasure of playing at Amersfoort, thanks to the initiative of Professor Karendra Devroop of the UNISA Foundation, who invited the SAMRO Foundation’s André le Roux and others to experience the Dutch-South African Jazz Expedition at the 2016 edition of the festival. Ten South African jazz musicians performed there and, as part of a cultural exchange, 10 of their Dutch counterparts came to play in South Africa.
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Nkabinde and trumpeter Mlangeni (a SAMRO Overseas Scholarships finalist in 2012) were among that South African cohort performing at Amersfoort in 2016, which has led to a succession of fellow local jazz cats making a splash at the festival.
They agree that being able to perform, mingle with their international peers, share ideas, absorb fresh inspiration, play for international audiences, meet concert promoters and attend master classes has been invaluable to their profile and professional growth. Left: Concord Nkabinde in Amersfoort 2016 |
SA jazz raises its profile in Europe
Says Mlangeni of the experience: “The Rabobank Amersfoort Jazz Festival was an opportunity to work with many of South Africa’s esteemed musicians to present our music. SAMRO’s endeavours to showcase South African talent on international platforms must be applauded as it raises the profile of its arts practitioners and creates an ideal platform to connect with the larger global jazz community.”
Nkabinde maintains that events such as Amersfoort offer “an effective tool to place our African agenda at the global table”, particularly in a climate where musicians often have to resort to playing cover versions to make a living.
He points out: “International opportunities and platforms such as these have been decreasing with the prevailing global economic meltdown. So, to be presented with not only an opportunity to perform internationally, but to perform South African music – and perform your own compositions – is something that is welcomed and of importance in growing one’s craft in a global space.”
Bokani Dyer, who won the SAMRO jazz scholarship for keyboard players in 2013 and played at the festival in 2017, agrees: “The experience was positive and enriching. Our collaboration was organic and I enjoyed sharing music with our friends from Europe. The festival and small town of Amersfoort offer a special experience that is easy to enjoy.”
He and the likes of 2015 SAMRO scholarship winner Zoë Modiga and 2016 winner Linda Sikhakhane were invited to the Dutch town to help launch the Amersfoort International Jazz Laureates Festival. Modiga recalls: “Sharing the stage with fellow scholars was legendary. Being away from home made for an unfamiliar but moving experience. I learnt a lot that I still use within my own musical journey today.”
Building global networks
| Sikhakhane believes the festival is an ideal way to build a global network and grow as a musician. “To get an opportunity to share music with fellow improvisers is always a pleasure, an opportunity to learn and execute positive vibrations through song,” he says.
“What excited me the most is to exchange culture through music with musicians that we have never played with before; there was enough room for improvisation with a collective idea of presenting something beautiful to the audience.”
Right: Linda Sikhakhane at the 2016 SAMRO Overseas Scholarships Competition |
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At this year’s festival, last year’s SAMRO scholarship winner, Ntando Ngcapu, and English hooked up with the 2018 and 2017 Standard Bank Young Artist winners for jazz, pianist Thandi Ntuli and bassist Benjamin Jephta, as well as guitarist Keenan Ahrends, to form the All Star South Africa Band as part of the Laureates Festival. Ntuli, Jephta and Ahrends are all previous SAMRO scholarships semi-finalists or finalists.
Ntando Ngcapu plays at MILES in Amersfoort |
Pianist Ngcapu, who had the privilege of attending jazz master classes by leading Dutch musicians, says he loves to have fun on stage and interact with jazz lovers – and Amersfoort certainly delivered!
Nkabinde has the final word on the incalculable value of exposing South African jazz talent on international platforms such as Amersfoort: “I feel that this initiative can only benefit our South African jazz sector at so many different levels. Obviously, the interaction is not only at a musicians’ level but also an interaction between festivals and music institutions.
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“I trust that this initiative will keep growing, affording more South African musicians similar sustainable opportunities.”
For more information, visit www.samrofoundation.org.za.
#OSchols | #SAMROMusic | #SAMROFoundation | #ConcertsSA
For interview requests, access to high res photos and media queries please contact Sinethemba on info@jtcomms.co.za or (011) 788 7632
Issued by JT Communication Solutions on behalf of SAMRO Foundation - www.samrofoundation.org.za
In yet another bold step to create purpose for entrepreneurs and market access, championing the underdog is at the core of a call to action to profile 100 Entrepreneurs in 100 Days.
Vanessa Perumal, MD of JT Comms on heeding the call on all South Africans and civil society to play a part in celebrating Nelson Mandela’s centenary, “ The business show Entrepreneur Connect Africa seeks to profile and tell entrepreneurial stories and inspire business dialogues around trade and calls for entrepreneurs to apply.”
Entrepreneur Connect Dialogues (ECD), a compelling digital TV platform that seeks to address and ultimately solve some of the countries problems in entrepreneurship, through content wants to share knowledge and business intelligence by using technology and data to make a difference in society.
The show is calling for one hundred entrepreneurs who would like to be profiled on the programme and share their business stories to send in applications to appear on new episodes that will air throughout the next year, heeding to the call on all South Africans and civil society to play a part in recognizing and emulating the values of South Africa’s first democratically elected President, Nelson Mandela, as the country celebrates the centenary of his birthday; whose theme motivates for all people to follow the true values that this leader upheld.
Technology in its splendor is creating unparalleled progress globally, one that is propelled by the democratisation of the process through which value is built for society. With minimal barriers, any bold entrepreneur can now attempt to disrupt minimally or significantly all parts of our social structure. From how we access & consume information, to how we share, learn, communicate, collaborate, and interact. The methods we use in understanding and producing social orders are increasingly being shaped by technology.
And it is on that premise that the new season of ECD seeks to shine the spotlight on savvy entrepreneurs on how to solve problems and transform businesses using technology to drive change in the growth of our economy.
Executive producer, Vanessa Perumal says “We want to show though the programme, how humanity can co-exist with technology and delve more into how we can use these tools to alter models to grow our businesses. Evidently, this has to be done as the future relevance of data and technology now plays a huge role in business intelligence’.
JT Comms, the architects of the ECD project and Level 1 B-BBEE Company, invites corporates, government and other businesses to support this initiative financially through their Enterprise Development (ED) budgets and adopt the project as a beneficiary. Funders can plug into opportunities the platform creates with monetary or non-monetary contributions to transform how small businesses have greater market access and address the lack of positive narratives of the benefits around BBBEE legislation in this enabling environment.
According to Act No. 46 of 2013 (Broad-Based Black Economic Empowerment Amendment Act, 2013) and subsequent Codes of Good Practice, assistance by a company for the purpose of financial, operational and/or developmental sustainability to the beneficiary enterprise, will positively impact the company’s B-BBEE score.
With the legislation making it a priority to advance job creation and advancement of previously disadvantaged groups through enforcing the Act, we request that organisations prioritise empowering small businesses such as JT Comms into their procurement and developmental spaces.
''At the core of what we want to achieve with the platform is to educate, share knowledge, where we can create market access, profile entrepreneurs and help shape the destiny of connecting entrepreneurs to markets. Too often stories profiling of the underdog fails to manifest in African media platforms and history misses an opportunity and our project is about making a difference," says Vanessa Perumal whose resolute champion for job creation as the solution to shifting poverty alleviation in Africa.
The new season of Entrepreneur Connect Dialogues will air every week on JT Comms Facebook channel.
For media queries and interview requests please email media@jtcomms.co.za or contact 011 788 7632.
Issued by JT Communication Solutions – www.jtcomms.co.za
Quartet of composers vie to see whose creations come out tops
Four rising young composers will see their works brought to life by professional musicians during a Concert Evening on Saturday, 18 August 2018, at the Linder Auditorium.
Two Jazz finalists – Riley Giandhari and Andrew Hoole – and two Western Art Music finalists – Conrad Asman and Lise Morrison – will toss their hats into the ring for the prized scholarships in this year’s competition for budding South African composers.
The competition, presented by the SAMRO Foundation, rotates in its focus every four years, alternately rewarding outstanding singers, instrumentalists, keyboard players and composers. The first prize in each category is a R200 000 scholarship to pursue postgraduate music studies or professional development overseas.
A selection of South Africa’s premier classical and jazz musicians will perform works by the four finalists live at the Linder Auditorium in Johannesburg. The show will start at 19h00 on 18 August 2018, where the winner and runner-up in each category as well as special awards will be announced.
“We are beyond excited to welcome these four up-and-coming music creators to our growing SAMRO family,” says André le Roux, managing director of the SAMRO Foundation.
“This year, the application process was online and our esteemed panel of adjudicators also completed their evaluations online. This move to digital has made the entire process far more streamlined and convenient for all concerned. We look forward to an evening of cracking new, original South African music on 18 August.”
About the finalists:
Riley Giandhari was born in Durban and started playing drums at the tender age of three. He enrolled to study jazz at the University of KwaZulu-Natal in 2013 and formed four bands as part of his master’s degree in composition. He retains his childhood passion for percussion, and is a session drummer who records and performs regularly at events such as the Standard Bank Joy of Jazz (with the National Youth Jazz Band) and the Oslo Jazz Festivals (with Nyimbo Ya Bantu). He has also shared a stage with the likes of the late Bra Hugh Masekela.
Andrew Hoole graduated with a master’s degree in composition from the University of Cape Town in 2013, and has since carved out a career as a media composer and a music lecturer at the South African College of Music (where he runs the Cone of Composition student composition contest) and AFDA. He has orchestrated the scores for local animated films Adventures in Zambezia and Khumba, as well as the international feature Staines, and has composed and produced music for several television commercials, video games, digital installations and board games.
Conrad Asman from Johannesburg is currently studying towards his bachelor’s degree in music at UCT’s South African College of Music under Professor Hendrik Hofmeyr. Hofmeyr has described him as “one of the most promising young composers I have encountered in my university career”. Conrad’s music, produced through his strong interest in harmonic and lyric sonorities within textured environments, has attracted international recognition for being “innovative” and “heart-rending”. He has already won several local and international composition awards.
Lise Morrison is a composer of concert music currently based in The Hague, Netherlands. She holds a BMus from Stellenbosch University and an MMus from the Royal Conservatory The Hague. Her music has been performed at events across South Africa and Europe, and she was recently invited to the Lucerne Festival for masterclasses and the performance of a new work. Her new string quartet will be performed at Gaudeamus Muziekweek, a renowned festival in Utrecht for “young music pioneers”, in September 2018.
For more information, visit www.samrofoundation.org.za.
#OSchols | #SAMROMusic | #SAMROFoundation | #ConcertsSA
For interview requests, access to high res photos and media queries please contact Sinethemba on info@jtcomms.co.za or (011) 788 7632
Issued by JT Communication Solutions on behalf of SAMRO Foundation - www.samrofoundation.org.za
ENDS
Banking giant Absa launched its new digital identity www.absa.africa today, as part of its strategy to redefine its brand by aligning itself and connecting with all things African. Absa’s rebranding campaign is to be welcomed and should act as a catalyst for all Africans determined to build a new continent powered by pride and digital innovation
That’s the word from Registry Africa, the administrator of the .africa (dotAfrica) geographic Top Level Domain (gTLD) endorsed by the African Union Commission (AUC) and individual African States.
“It’s a brave new world out there, with Africans embracing their pan-African identities, challenging traditional business norms and seeking to develop and implement revolutionary ways in which to compete within the digital space. Absa’s belief in and alignment to the narrative of Africa as the Bright Continent through the selection of a .africa (dotAfrica) domain name as its primary web presence will no doubt boost progressive mindsets to rethink existing business, technology and branding strategies. But for now, the .africa (dotAfrica) domain name administrator is thrilled to see the domain name in action,” says Lucky Masilela, Registry Africa CEO.
In the months leading up to the launch of its Africa-centric digital identity Absa adopted an inclusive consultative process which went beyond simply consulting with over 130 000 employees, clients, customers and partners. “Registry Africa, as the contracted custodian of the .africa (dotAfrica) domain name, was excited to be included in this process, especially for being given the opportunity to present its .africa (dotAfrica) vision to Absa several months ago. Absa’s rebranding supports our view that the .africa (dotAfrica) gTLD represents the online hopes and dreams of an entire continent,” explained Mr Masilela.
As major brands like Absa register, use and promote .africa (dotAfrica) domain names, the effect on commerce, education, health and other sectors will no doubt be profound as Africans use their new domain to unite the continent’s Internet community. The .africa (dotAfrica) gTLD offers a unique opportunity to individuals, governments, companies and others to associate their products, services and information with the continent and people of Africa. Mr Masilela added that Absa has clearly recognised the importance of laying credible digital foundations in pursuit of its mission to reclaim its African identity.
The .africa (dotAfrica) domain name has brought together 54 African countries under a single, continent-wide domain name that stays true to the vision of the outstanding African leaders who, through the Oliver Tambo and Abuja Declarations respectively, recognized that ICT-based initiatives would be central to Africa's future socio-economic wellbeing.
Absa‘s confidence in the .africa (dotAfrica) gTLD will spur other enterprise-class brands to invest in their own .africa digital identifier. This should result in the further growth and development of African Registrars and Resellers (RasRs), as well as the various African country-code Top Level Domains (ccTLDs), with all the associated web-related content and skills development.
Absa’s rebrand sees the bank coining the term “Africanacity”, described as the distinctly African ability to always find ways to get things done. “A new dawn, a new Absa. This new dawn comes with the extraordinary opportunity to redefine the bank as a truly African brand, unified and united with one goal, which is to bring possibility to life. We have a brand new purpose; a new brave, passionate attitude, ready to take on all opportunities Africa affords all of us”, Absa.
“There’s a sense of renewal in the air and well-regarded brands like Absa are to be commended for leading this charge into a promising African future,” said Mr Masilela.
He urged other leading brands to not only register their own .africa (dotAfrica) domain names but to actively start using them. “By registering and using .africa (dotAfrica) domain names, brands receive both legal protection and marketing benefits, which include amongst others associating the brand’s products, services and information to the African continent,“ concluded Mr. Masilela.
For media queries and interview requests contact JT Comms on media@jtcomms.co.za or 011 788 7632.
Issued by JT Communication Solutions on behalf of ZA Central Registry - www.registry.africa
ENDS
PROTEC INVITATIONJessica Mbangeni Returns With New Album & Bags SAMA Nomination
In his most illustrious speech, "I am an African” delivered 8 May 1996 on the occasion of the passing of the new South African Constitution; President Thabo Mbeki avowed – “My mind and my knowledge of myself is formed by the victories that are the jewels in our African crown, the victories we earned from Isandhlwana to Khartoum, as Ethiopians and as the Ashanti of Ghana, as the Berbers of the desert. Being part of all these people, and in the knowledge that none dare contest that assertion, I shall claim that - I am an African.
And it is with such that Pan Africanist, singer and praise poet Jessica Mbangeni calls and announces the release of her new single video ‘In love with the Rastaman’; a collaboration with Jamaican artist RA Deal, a funky reggae influenced tune from her upcoming album ‘I Am An African’ set for release in September 2018.
Also a nominee for Best Traditional Music Album at the 24th edition of the 2018 SAMAs, the poet’s “Jessica Mbangeni Sings IGoli Live at Lyric Theatre” , a live recording she self produced and features an all star band line up composed of guitarist Bheki Khoza, pianist Mncedisi Kupa and saxophonist McCoy Mrubata with music direction by composer Khanya Ceza, following on the success of her first two studio albums iGoli and Busisiwe: A Tribute To African Heroines, the album is Mbangeni’s first live recording.
The upcoming album, I Am An African inspired by a recent sojourn which saw her spend months in Jamaica and the Caribbean Islands following performance engagements at the Marcus Garvey Festival (Tribute) speaks to address the verity of African people and nations whom Jessica, hopes in the future shall overcome all adversities and challenges confronting the continent to ultimately achieve cultural, economic, scientific and spiritual renewal.
Having performed all over the world and at President Thabo Mbeki and Nelson Mandela’s 46664 concerts, Mbangeni’s career began decisively after joining the Grammy award winning Soweto Gospel Choir - a troupe she later left to pursue a solo vocation as a praise poet that has led her to milestones such as a 2017 SATMA, theatre work and numerous TV appearances on programs such as SABC 1’s ‘Emzini Wezi Nsizwa’, drama Zabalaza, sitcom ‘The Coconuts’ and award-winning albums, solidifying her reputation as one of South Africa’s greatest living writers and live-performance poets, singers with a demand for her service still remaining high.
‘I am happy to be at such a stage of my career, eternally grateful to my supporters and hope that we will continue journing together towards my new work and ventures in the world” says Jessica.
Fans cannot vote for this category of the awards but can follow Jessica on social media and view new music video ‘In Love With A Rastaman’ on You Tube.
For media queries and interview requests please email media@jtcomms.co.za or contact 011 7887632.
Issued by JT Communication Solutions on behalf of Jessica Mbangeni
Africa Month: Music, Literature, Talks and Workshops
Celebrating 100 years of Nelson Mandela’s Legacy
25th May to the 9th June 2018
In the wake of a successful Africa Month music event, The Liberation Concert, featuring acclaimed musicians from SA and across the world, the Department of Arts and Culture in partnership with the Joburg Theatre, celebrates literature from the African continent and its diaspora.
Historically, literature has played a leading role in the formation of ideas and movements for change, just like the uprising of ’76. It is vital that we continue the dialogue about progressive change and development within South Africa and its relationship with the continent and beyond. The literature festival will feature relevant master class workshops, important panel discussions, as well as a keynote address by author, land claims expert and academic Professor Ted Chamberlin (University of Toronto, Canada) on a talk entitled ‘Land, Liberty and Telling Our Stories’.
The panel will include leading South African intellectuals: facilitator Ms Nomboniso Gasa and panelist Advocate Tembeka Ngcukaitobi.
Featured Literary Scholars include among others:
Prof Ted Chamberlin (Canada) is an acclaimed writer, academic and land claims expert. He has published several books including If This Is Your Land, Where Are Your Stories? Finding Common Ground (2003), Horse: How the Horse Has Shaped Civilizations (2006), The Banker and the Blackfoot: A Memoir of My Grandfather in Chinook Country (2016) among many other award winning books and published papers.
Advocate Tembeka Ngcukaitobi (SA) is a leading African intellectual, legal expert and author of This Land is Ours. He has successfully represented the EFF on the release of the State Capture Report and he serves on the South African Law Reform Commission.
Nomboniso Gasa (SA), adjunct professor of public law at the University of Cape Town, and researcher on land, gender, politics and cultural issues
The literature programme will also feature internationally acclaimed Jamaican born poet, Mutabaruka. He is a famous rastafarian and black consciousness activist and orator, leading reggae poet, radio and TV host.
Literature Programme (All events are free to the public)
Please RSVP to: afroartsurban@gmail.com or urbanart10@gmail.com
Refreshments and snacks will be provided before the talks and workshop
Title: Land, liberty and telling our stories
Panelist: Prof Ted Chamberlin (Canada) and Advocate Tembeka Ngcukaitobi (SA)
Facilitator: Nomboniso Gasa (SA) and
Space.com, Joburg Theatre, Braamfontein
Friday 1st June @ 6.30pm
Secure parking (Rsvp by 31st May)
#LandandLiterature
#AfricaMonth2018
Hillbrow Theatre
Thursday 7th June, 3pm – 5pm
Evening will involve music and poetry.
Wits Theatre, Jorissen Street, Braamfontein
Saturday 9th June @ 7pm
Secure parking at Wits University, Senate House basement, Jorissen Street
(Rsvp by 8th June)
#MutabarukaInSA
Twitter: Mutabaruka_ja
Mutabaruka will also perform at the Lekkerbreek Primary School, cnr Doringdraai and Joe Slovo Street, Phagameng, MODIMOLLE, Limpopo on Friday 8th June @ 6.30pm
Face Book: African Women Writers Network
#AfricaMonth2018
For media queries and interview requests please email media@jtcomms.co.za or contact 011 788 7632.
Issued by JT Communication Solutions on behalf of Africa Month 2018 for the Joburg Theatre
The Southern African Music Rights Organisation (SAMRO) is a membership-based organisation that administers the performing right in musical works on behalf of its composer and publisher members.
SAMRO plays a key role in the music ecosystem of South Africa and regularly engages with other players in this ecosystem, including its members, other copyright management organisations, and users of music, the recording industry, as well as policy and lawmakers.
Following the presentation of the new SAMRO strategy at the AGM of November 2017, which focusses on member-centricity, operational and governance efficiency and policy review, the membership at that meeting gave SAMRO the mandate to engage in a full policy and systems review.
This review has included various engagements with members, included Roundtable meetings in Johannesburg, Capetown and Durban, and has included assessments of the rules governing membership, distribution and directorship at SAMRO.
Also under review have been the distribution rules governing the calculation of royalties earned for the arrangement of gospel and traditional music that is in the public domain (so called “DP” works). A musical work is classified as “DP” by SAMRO when it does not enjoy copyright protection and is in the public domain (domaine publique, DP). Contrary to various media reports, DP is not person but a system identifier to classify works that are in the public domain.
In an article published on 1 April 2018, it was alleged by the media that SAMRO is involved in the unlawful deduction of royalties pertaining to re-arrangements of music that is in the public domain (i.e. not copyright-protected). SAMRO stands by its rejection of the allegation that it has acted unlawfully and views the statements as deeply false and misleading.
We acknowledge that the treatment of arrangements of public domain works requires attention by ourselves as a membership-based organisation and the Government of South Africa, from a copyright policy and socio-economic perspective.
This arrangement rule currently recognises a capped 16.7% copyright royalty share for the portion of the work that the arranger created on the back of the original public domain work. This percentage is allocated to the person who arranges the DP work. The balance of 83.3% of the royalty share that would have accrued to the rest of the arrangement had the DP portion been in copyright is held back and distributed to all the active musical works belonging to SAMRO members in proportion to the use of their music during the period under review.
The idea behind this rule is that it would not be equitable for the re-arranger of the music to benefit from 100% of the royalties because he/she has used someone else's music as a base and has only contributed to a portion of the new arrangement. Royalties are neither collectable or payable for out-of-copyright/public domain works. As such, SAMRO’s licensing arrangements are limited to the copyright-protected musical works of its members.
SAMRO accepts that this rule, although not unlawful, is ripe for review by the membership to have a more favourable impact on the arranger who decides to “revive” a traditional song that has now fallen outside copyright. The members of SAMRO, during the roundtable consultations, have engaged favourably on this matter and it has been agreed that the percentage payable should be increased from the current 16.7%. It should be noted that the 16.7% level is benchmarked internationally with most similar organisations pegging the percentage between 12.5%-25%.
Other important matters discussed at the roundtables were:
It is unfortunate to note that at the Johannesburg roundtable meeting that took place on Monday 23 April 2018, a group of non-SAMRO members forced their way into what was a members-only meeting. It is believed the lack of understanding of the role SAMRO plays in the music industry was the cause of the numerous non-member musicians demanding entry into the meeting. SAMRO is in fact an administrator of active copyright music used by licensees, but is largely and wrongly viewed as the central body responsible for policy and socio-economic issues in the music industry. SAMRO accepts it has a contribution to make in this regard, but it is important to note that SAMRO’s mandate remains limited to its members and to matters of copyright, and specifically the public performance right, in compositions. This means that matters relating to recording contracts, unfair practices between musicians in general as well as any other artist royalties and revenues are excluded from SAMRO’s mandate.
The executive team at SAMRO is now collating all member inputs and encourages any more submissions to be sent to marketing@samro.org.za.
The submissions and recommendations will be presented to the membership of SAMRO at an extraordinary general meeting (EGM) in June 2018, where it is hoped that new rules will be adopted that reflect the member’s will and best interests.
For interview requests, access to photos and media queries please contact Dee’s on media@jtcomms.co.za or (011) 788 7632
Issued by JT Communication Solutions on behalf of SAMRO - www.samro.org.za
Centred on a ground-breaking partnership between two media companies, Content Connect Africa and JT Comms announce plans to digitally distribute cooking show, Bunnies In The Burbs through Viva Nation, a music and lifestyle video channel that broadcasts throughout the African content.
The new season of the cooking show features guests such as the award winning afro-jazz guitarist and producer Kunle Ayo, publisher and storyteller Zanele Ndlovu and leading HIV and gender activist Yvette Raphael. Joining the host, with a delectable mix of recipes from fast and fantastic, through to ideas for effortless entertaining, big deal dishes and everything in-between, there’s something for cooks and homemakers of every skill level. Elevating everyday dining experiences with simple, affordable and homely cooking meals, the show promises to.
This partnership will allow JT Comms to offer a wide selection of exclusive content to mobile phone network clients, MTN; with the content being integrated to guarantee multi-channel delivery and superior customer experience across Africa.
Bunnies in the Burbs, a digital cooking show takes the popular format of a cooking show - but is more intimate and inspiring in that, viewers get to witness a young African millennial sharing good food and wisdom with her role models and peers. Also championing a staunch ambition for youth to be entrepreneurial, BIBs highlights through the presenter an eagerness by the youth, to take charge of their lives and careers; by encouraging young people in South Africa and beyond to become active participants in the building of the economy during in a time where the job markets in the continent dry up and the fiscal landscape is changing from industrial to hi-tech.
The show which debuted yesterday on MTN Shortz will be streamed to on the network across South Africa and Nigeria, with more countries to follow, by Viva Nation TV.
Described by JT Comms founder Vanessa Perumal as a “game changer”, the new partnership is a positive move towards creating a platform for authentic African content to be shared while disrupting traditional media methods and channels which do not give access and platforms to tell our stories as Africans, while tapping into and harnessing the opportunity multimedia platforms enable in a technology era. This pioneering collaboration with champions such as Content Connect Africa, who are trailblazers in their field, is encouraging.
And leveraging on a superfast network, subscribers will be able to experience Viva Nation TV’s premium lifestyle content seamlessly on their mobile devices, taking TV beyond the traditional model to an even wider audience.
Commenting on the accord, Content Connect Africa’s Antos Stella says “Content Connect Africa has strived to create revenue opportunities for independent content providers over the past 8 years; mobile television is a natural progression from our music platforms where focus on sustainability has been, and remains our main objective.”
Viva Nation TV’s offerings are now available to watch through MTN Shortz and will soon be on all digital channels.
For media queries and interview requests please email media@jtcomms.co.za or contact 0117887632.
Issued by JT Communication Solutions in partnership with Content Connect Africa
Note To Editor:
MTN Shortz is an aggregated set of short-form video content, typically 10mins or less, arranged in channels accessed via the MTN Play website. It is an ecosystem showcasing video content such as short films, series and themed clips with the aim of delighting viewers.
Viva Nation is a music and lifestyle video channel offering you the hottest local, African and International videos from the world's freshest artists.
Content Connect Africa is a digital distributor of audio and visual content through a seamless and specialized technical process, where music and videos are submitted, digitized and ingested to platforms that deliver content products to millions of consumers across the World.
The Southern African Music Rights Organisation (SAMRO) CEO Nothando Migogo has noted with deep concern, this past weekend’s media reports about the organisation’s distribution rules.
A sensational report by journalist Charl Blignaut in the City Press, sensationally headlined, “Gospel shocker: How black musicians got screwed”, raised several allegations, particularly around SAMRO member Ms Hlengiwe Mhlaba’s royalty pay-outs, SAMRO’s relationship with multinational publishers, and the matter of public domain works.
The report alleged that of the 90 songs collecting royalties through SAMRO on behalf of Ms Mhlaba, “24 were only paying out 16.7% of what was due to her”. It further said that, “the remaining 83.3% was, according to SAMRO’s own database, paid to a mysterious composer called ‘DP’”, and that “Mhlaba claims that in the course of 14 albums she has had well over R100, 000 taken by DP – on top of the millions SAMRO paid to [her former manager Sipho] Makhabane without her ever formally signing her rights over to him”.
Disappointingly, despite an extensive response to an equally lengthy query, SAMRO’s comments were largely overlooked by City Press, and this resulted in a news report containing several factual inaccuracies.
Firstly, it must be noted that ‘DP’ is not a person, but simply an internal system categorisation that is allocated to all public domain works. A musical work will be in the public domain if it never had copyright in the first place, or if the copyright has expired (which occurs 50 years after the death of the composer as per the Copyright Act).
“We requested Mr Blignaut to provide evidence of his calculations and allegation that SAMRO has allocated R2 billion to the ‘DP’ category, which he did not. Based on the information at my disposal, that figure is way off the mark. I have commissioned an exercise to get an accurate figure, which our board and membership of SAMRO will have access to within the week,” said Migogo.
Regarding the 16.7% Arrangement Rule - this deals with music arrangements of an existing musical work. The rules stipulate that where a composer creates an arrangement of an existing song, he or she receives 16.7% of the copyright in the arrangement. The balance goes to the composers of the original work because the presumption is that original work forms the basis - and thus lion’s share - of the new arrangement.
The songs in question, arranged by Ms Mhlaba, were in the public domain, which means there was no copyright accruing to the original composition which she was arranging. Therefore, according to the Arrangement Rule in force at SAMRO, Ms Mhlaba was allocated the 16.7%.
The remaining 83.3% is assigned the category ‘DP’, indicating that this portion is in the public domain and technically, this remaining 83.3% does not have a royalty attached to it.
Because SAMRO licenses its users, e.g. broadcasters, on a blanket basis (i.e. a predetermined amount to be paid out to all SAMRO-member works used by the user) and not on a per-song basis, it is evident that SAMRO does not specifically collect public domain/DP royalties.
The pre-determined licence fee offers the user indemnity against copyright claims. SAMRO then has to ensure that the fee received is divided equally against all the in-copyright musical works reported on the basis of airplay. Where some of the works reported are in the public domain, SAMRO then has to (during the internal royalty processing) find a way of removing those public domain works from the distribution pool. This is when they get categorised as DP, meaning they do not accrue any royalties. The royalties that would have accrued had the work been in copyright, are ring-fenced and distributed to all SAMRO member musical works that have been active in that year. There is no account or purse of royalties belonging to DP.
However, SAMRO also acknowledges that the redistribution policy of ‘DP’ categorised works may not be the best practice and, as part of its policy overhaul, is committed to reviewing and addressing this urgently, in consultation with its members. SAMRO also urges the DTI to urgently release the regulations on the copyright treatment of indigenous and traditional musical works.
Regarding the contractual relationship between Ms Mhlaba and Mr Makhabane, who are both SAMRO members a way forward was agreed upon, in writing by Mr Gilfillan, to ensure that the SAMRO rules are applied objectively. In instances where there was conduct which was not in line with the rules or it was found that one member benefited unduly at the expense of another member, this has been and will continue to be addressed. SAMRO takes the allegations of corruption seriously, and will take appropriate actions to ensure that the matter is resolved.
SAMRO also seeks to clarify the issue of its relationships with multinational publishers being blatantly untrue. It was reported that over half of SAMRO’s board is made up of multinational publishers, while in actual fact, only one board seat is occupied by a publisher that can be described as a multinational publisher. The SAMRO board can be viewed at http://www.samro.org.za/about.
SAMRO also notes that the good news of more royalty income remaining in the country was unreported. The listening patterns on radio have previously dictated that the majority of royalties in the past were paid to international rights holders. Encouragingly, though, it must be noted that in the last radio distribution (March 2018), a total of 6,907 local members earned either for the first time (over 2,000 were new earners) or increased their SAMRO earnings significantly, which means more royalties are staying in the country. In total, an increase of R24.2 million in local distributions was seen.
Finally, SAMRO welcomes the enquiry by the Minister of Arts and Culture Nathi Mthethwa, this week and looks forward to engaging with all relevant departments of government on matters of copyright and growing the creative economy in South Africa. The winds of change with new executive management since July 2017 have brought many improvements and a commitment remains work with our members to further improve where necessary and possible.
It must be recorded that long before the weekend City Press story broke, SAMRO had long been working on reviewing the rules in question as part of a far wider policy review. This was because of the clear disharmony between some of our policies and the SAMRO we wish to see in the future.
SAMRO will be engaging in roundtable meetings with its members in our three major centres during the month of April, after which an Extraordinary General Meeting in June 2018 will be held and where new rules will be agreed upon. The dates, which have already been communicated to members, are as follows:
“A commitment to changing and evolving for the benefit of our members has been unequivocally made by our board and new executive management at its last AGM,” said Migogo. “Further, we are committed to ensuring that any wrongdoing in the past will be accounted for. We are committed to working with the relevant government departments to ensure SAMRO operates at the utmost levels of efficiency and transparency.”
Ends//
For more information, contact:
Nothando Migogo
SAMRO CEO
Telephone: +27 (0)11 712 8541
Email: ceo@samro.org.za
For media queries and interview requests please email media@jtcomms.co.za or contact us on 011 788 7632.
Issued by JT Communication Solutions on behalf of Southern African Music Rights Organisation (SAMRO) – www.samro.org.za
About SAMRO:
Since 1961, SAMRO has been the country’s music rights champion. We protect the rights of composers and authors (music creators) both locally and abroad. Collecting licence fees from music users – television broadcasters, radio stations, in-store radio stations, pubs, clubs, retailers, restaurants and all other businesses that use music. Today, SAMRO has grown into an internationally recognised collecting administration business representing more than 12, 000 music creators. It has built a solid reputation as the primary representative of music Performing Rights in Southern Africa, and is well respected among its global peers in the music industry.
For more information on SAMRO, please visit www.samro.org.za
Speaking truth to power, on his poem ‘Degrees’ from the anthology Azanian Love Song, Dr Don Mattera writes “There is no hurt quite like being unloved, unwanted among one’s own, in one’s own land ”.
Cultivating a conscious media network was at the core of a gathering of a cohort of storytellers who locked minds in South Africa's inaugural living legends multimedia training programme.
A series of master classes conducted by highly qualified and acclaimed subject matter experts was carefully curated in an effort towards addressing how we can leverage technology to better profile and share our stories particularly when covering our living legends.
Journalists, writers, photographers, videographers, branding practitioners, fine art and story tellers made up the 20 delegates in Cohort 1 a pioneering and much needed information exchange on how we use multimedia which in SA remains a missed opportunity.
This lack of knowledge together with the widening gap of how Arts and Culture reporting in mainstream media continues to dwindle is at the core of creating a shift in how we package and share our stories. A worrying stat outside high data charges is how low the percentage is of media practioners unpacking the power of multi media.
A carefully chosen group of seasoned media and arts and culture subject matter experts were invited to share their mastery on the art of how to produce engaging content. Facilitators included Brenda Sisane, Diane Coetzer, Sam Mathe, Helen Herimbi, Milisuthando Bongela, Kgomotso Moeketsi, Ismail Mahomed and Audrey Brown held master classes where they shared expertise on various ways of archiving and curating content.
Week one of the programme held at the Windybrow Theatre in Hillbrow saw our 20 delegates get trained on how to package and archive content towards profiling living legends within the arts and culture fraternity where our facilitators shared expertise on advanced, theoretical and practical skills about the methods and forms of multimedia product use.
Managing director of JT Comms Vanessa Perumal says: “This programme covers a gap and starts a conversation of how we can collectively revolutionise how we package content when telling our stories as Africans using technology as a tool.”
The most exciting part of the project is to see the delegates discover and engage in conversation on great chapters of South African arts and culture history through the reminisces of Dorothy Masuku, Don Mattera, Stompie Manana, Peter Magubane, Welcome Msomi and other living legends in real time filmed at different locations such Constitution Hill, the Windybrow Theatre in Hillbrow, the Roving Bantu Kitchen in Brixton and the JT Comms Media Resource Centre of African Excellence.
Providing accessible opportunities and resources to address the needs of various audiences from the elders to the young people, the climate of the programme reasons and engages young people in terms of history, which they feel is not preserved and only hear of such people when legends die. The Living Legends Multimedia Training Programme gives an insight into how heritage can inspire creativity and also how creativity can enhance heritage by allowing for more imaginative presentation and archiving methods.
An important observation during the first two weeks is the inclusive dimension of the programme, by involving young people in different ways, this brought the archive to life and brought about inclusion rather than exclusion, encouraging more young people to explore their own histories and collect their own oral histories and memorabilia to create their own personal archives.
“We are proud as the department to be associated with this pioneering training programme. It is our belief that our living human treasures have a fundamental role to play towards the proper archiving and writing of our stories as Africans. We also hope to see more of our legends play an even bigger role in offering master classes and providing mentorship to the youth as part of our Living Legends Legacy Project” says Sithembiso Ntombela of the Department of Arts and Culture.
And it is in this premise that there is a newly found interest for the current and next generation of content producers to preserve our history; and that is the greatest legacy of the programme.
A graduation for the first cohort of students from the programme will be held at the Apartheid Museum on 20 March 2018.
For media accreditation, interview requests and access to high res photos please contact media@jtcomms.co.za or (011) 788 7632.
Issued by JT Communication Solutions in collaboration with the Department of Arts and Culture
Notes to Editor
Living Legends:
Dorothy Masuku was one of the most famous township singers in 1950’s South Africa and a pin-up to boot. She was best friends with Miriam Makeba and wrote some of the biggest hits to come out of the continent and her songs have been covered by artists such as Thandiswa Mazwai and Hugh Masekela.
Stompie Manana was born 1935 in Sophiatown and is a founding member of the African Jazz Pioneers and was a regular guest for the Pacific Express. He also taught the late Hugh Masekela how to play the trumpet.
Peter Magubane is responsible for many of the iconic images from major political events of the era such as The Sharpeville Massacre, Riots in Soweto, The Rivonia Trial. Despite witnessing some of the most violent events of the time first-hand, he remained focused and dedicated to his profession, always comprehending the brevity of his responsibility.
Don Mattera has been celebrated as a journalist, editor, writer and poet. He is also acknowledged as one of the foremost activists in the struggle for a democratic South Africa, and helped to found the Union of Black Journalists, the African Writer's Association and the Congress of South African Writers.
Welcome Msomi is an actor, writer and theatrical producer. Best known in South Africa as the author of the innovative and internationally successful Zulu version of Macbeth (uMabatha) and choreographed the presidential inauguration for Nelson Mandela in 1994.
Delegates:
Antony Kaminju, Bonga Gwadu, Bongani Siziba, Dianah Chiyangwa, Kgomotso Mamabolo, Kitso Kgaboesele, Lwazi Gwijane, Masi Losi, Nigel Sibanda, Ntombifuthi Sangweni, Sibusio Gcaba, Success Mthombeni, Thelma Seswana, Tshepo Gaerupe, Tsholofelo Dibakwane, Zinziswa Mani
National airline of the Democratic Republic of Congo – Congo Airways announces to begin new stop service between South Africa and Congo, on 28 February 2018.
The new DRC-SA service represents Congo Airway’s first scheduled flight to South Africa, affording an opportunity to further strengthen relationships, build new economic partnerships, enhance trade and tourism business between the two countries.
The state-owned airline has an ambitious plan to operate a low-cost model, which will see it adding to its fleet of air craft to service more destinations outside the DRC, expanding its footprint across Africa and operate three weekly flights using an Airbus A320-200, with 15 seats in business class and 150 in economy.
The airline’s launch is also timely to the South African President’s Mr Cyril Matamela Ramaphosa call to open market access opportunities for South African export products, contribute to job creation, double the tourism sector and growth of South Africa’s industrial sector.
“With Africa fast establishing itself as one of the most promising regions for tourism and the United Nations World Tourism Organisation (UNWTO) estimating that Africa will receive 85 million international tourist arrivals by 2020, and 134 million in 2030, representing 6,3% and 7,4% respectively of international tourist arrivals worldwide. Our first international flight to South Africa as the DRC is much welcome and a proud achievement” says Congo Airways CEO Desire Balazire Bantu.
Being cognisant of the immense role played by aviation, as a catalyst for the advancement of the DRC’s regional integration endeavors within the African continent and globally, Congo Airways is open to forging strategic partnerships with regional and continental countries as vehicles for regional integration.
The launch of Congo Airway’s DRC-SA route is again a hugely welcome venture, particularly following the two country’s adherence to the Single African Air Transport Market (SAATM) which was launched last month, 28 January on the margins of the African Union Summit in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. The SAATM, a flagship project of the African Union Agenda 2063 is an initiative of the African Union to create a single unified air transport market in Africa, the liberalization of civil aviation in Africa and as an impetus to the continent’s economic integration agenda.
My deepest gratitude goes to all of our stakeholders who have supported us towards making sure that our inaugural international flight promotional campaign as Congo Airways is a success. We hope that industry players in South Africa can work closely together with our Congolese partners to make the African Union agenda 2063 regarding the movement of our African people and goods successful” ends Desire Balazire.
The three weekly flights from Kinshasa to Johannesburg will run on Wednesdays, Saturdays and Sundays on the 2 year old airline which was launched in October 2016.
Congo Airways plans to next launch flights to Cameroon, Angola and Dubai. The airline is jointly owned by the DRC government and investors from the private sector.
For media accreditation, interview requests and access to high res photos please contact media@jtcomms.co.za or (011) 788 7632.
Issued by JT Communication Solutions of Behalf of Congo Airways
Celebrating 21 years of exceptional success since its launch in 1996, Sheer Publishing has cemented itself as Africa’s leading independent publishing house. Representing a large group of writers and catalogues in the gospel genre, it’s clear as to why Sheer Publishing continues to be an industry leader and was crowned ‘Publisher of the Year’ at the 2014 Wawela Music awards, which saw the last time this particular award was contested.
Publishing representation remains essential to songwriters as it protects the key element of any artist’s music – the writing of the song. The power of a great song is what has launched countless musical careers and no message is stronger than that, as conveyed in a gospel song.
Sheer Publishing represents South African songwriters such as Mahalia Buchanan, Malibongwe Gcwabe, Worship House, Ps Solly Mahlangu, Mahalia Buchanan, Veliswa Skeyi, Dr Tumi, Patrick Duncan, Dudu Tsobane, Janine Price, The Movement (Langa Mbonambi), Kholeka, Sibongiseni Mbhele, Redeemed, Faith Khanyile (Glory of the Last Days), KZN Gospel Choir, Mawat, Xolani Mdlalose and international gospel writers through Hillsong, Song Solutions and Capitol CMG. Many of the writers already tour South Africa and Sheer Publishing looks to encourage cover versions and collaborations between local and international artists, ensuring the building of a platform for them in Africa.
The opportunity of connecting local gospel artists with international names represented by Sheer Publishing makes for exciting times in crossing borders and reaching a vast audience.
“We are proud to be working with such amazing writers, and it is a privilege for us to continue shining a light onto the amazing songs written by these composers over the years and we will make sure that these songs continue to earn revenue for the writers in the years ahead” remarks Sheer Publishing Managing Director, David Alexander.
Sheer Publishing is a full-service music publisher, providing expertise in African music copyright ownership, international copyright management, film and television music, clearance and supervision, jingle and songwriter representation and library production music management.
For media queries, interview requests and access to high-resolution pictures contact JT Comms on media@jtcomms.co.za or 011 788 7632.
Issued by JT Communication Solutions on behalf of Sheer Publishing - www.sheerpublishing.co.za
Note to Editor:
Sheer Publishing is one of Africa’s largest independent Publishing houses and is currently looking to expand its client base within the African diaspora and seek to provide a comprehensive range of copyright services to their clients, domestic, continental and international.
A full-service, mid-sized independent publishing company that is quickly growing its market share, Sheer Publishing has experience of administrating intellectual property rights nationally and globally and has close links with collecting societies based all over the world. It is also a direct member of SAMRO, MCSK and COSON which are copyright collection societies in South Africa, Kenya and Nigeria respectively.
Capitol CMG is a division of Capitol Music Group, a Universal Music Group company. Over the years, the venture has grown from a scrappy family-owned independent music label to a multi-faceted business that includes Capitol CMG Label Group (Sparrow Records, Fore Front Records, Six Steps Records, Hillsong and Credential Recordings), Capitol CMG Publishing, Motown Gospel and Capitol Christian Distribution. The company's roster features top names in the Christian and gospel communities, among them Jeremy Camp, Michael W. Smith, Hillsong United, Smokie Norful, Tye Tribbett, Britt Nicole, David Crowder, Newsboys, Matt Redman, Tasha Cobbs, Colton Dixon, Mandisa, Matthew West, and Va Shawn Mitchell.
Song Solutions is a music publisher and administrator specialising in Christian & Gospel music with over 25 years of experience in handling every aspect of copyright administration worldwide.
Kgomotso Le Roux & Neno to Release Albums in Two Day Exclusive Song Premiere
South Africa will experience original indigenous African music compositions by two women from two generations, influenced by jazz, soul and Tshivenda rhythms from Kgomotso le Roux and her mentor Rosy Morero Bulane aka Neno, whose sound is a fusion of mbaqanga, gospel and Sesotho traditional music. In addition to live performances, audiences will also see the première of the Khwela Factory clothing range.
Kgomotso, whose music draws heavily from Tshivenda traditional rhythms, writes in isiZulu, Sesotho, French, English and Shona. Her debut album ‘UNOYIWAWA”, is titled after a mythical African super hero, the “Strong one who does not fall, protects communities from natural disasters and is the daughter of Nomkhubulwane, the African goddess of rain, nature and fertility. ” Nomkhubulwane is strongly related to the origins of human kind from an African mythological perspective.
The record comes after 14 years of Kgomotso’s work in various capacities in the music industry having been writing since the age of 9, started her sessions as a backing vocalist in 2003 and has gone on to work with an array of artists such as Mpumi Dlamini, RJ Benjamin, Ifani, Letoya Makhene, Blondie Makhene, Tlale Makhene, Yonela Mnana, Theo Nhlengethwa and Tresor. Her love for composition has seen her produce original music for children TV programs ‘Takalani Sesame’, ‘LEGO’ and recently featured as a performer at Dr. Sello Gallane’s Pula Festival at the State Theatre in Pretoria, September 2017.
NENO, who is 78 years, will also launch her album ‘Ha Mojela’ with the support of the Khwela Factory and Kgomotso, thus beginning the journey of having her compositions performed. Dressed by clothing from the Khwela Factory range, the musical duo will be backed by an amazing band that features Nhlanhla Neville Radebe (double bass), Yonela Mnana (keys), Mabeleng Moholo (percussions), Kgomotso (mbira/vocals), Vumile Mchunu and Musa Nkosi (vocals).
Kgomotso and Neno’s relationship dates back to Le Roux’s time as an academic researcher at WITS University where she got exposed to Neno’s music during her ethnomusicology studies in 2006. Neno who had an erratic recording and performing schedule had enjoyed a successful career in the 70s having signed to Gallo Records and later left the music industry to pursue a career in acting.
“If it wasn’t for Neno and Mme Seipati Bulane Hopa, I would have never given our music a chance and I am looking forward to the launch of our albums” says ecstatic Kgomotso Le Roux.
Kgomotso’s journey till this point has been hard as a young black woman artist and entrepreneur.
Tickets to the launch cost R100 and R20 for kids under 16. Both albums ‘‘Unoyiwawa” and “Ha Mojela” will be available for sale at the launch for R150 each and performances will start at 15:00 to end at 18:00 on both days. Networking opportunities will be available before the start of both shows.
The launches will take place at The Motlalepula Chabaku Foundation (Est. 1912) in Soweto on 02 December 2017 and at Glory in Melville, Johannesburg on 03 December 2017.
For media queries, interview requests and access to high-resolution pictures and music contact JT Comms on media@jtcomms.co.za or 011 788 7632.
Issued by JT Communication Solutions on Behalf of Khwela Factory
Notes to Editor
Khwela Factory
The Khwela Factory is a clothing and textile manufacturing company specializing in project management, manufacturing of uniforms and custom-made clothing.
Kgomotso le Roux
Kgomotso has 10 years experience in the South African business of the arts and culture landscape.
Her entrance into the promotion of the arts goes back to when she was a brand promoter for Meta4 Marketing and Advertising. After graduating from Witwatersrand University with an Ethnomusicology Bmus degree, her research in Venda inspired her to embrace an understanding of African arts from an interdependent point of view. Her honours degree covered courses including Arts Marketing and Business Studies, Professional Music Studies, Digital Music Technology (studio sound engineering) and Composition. When she was not working or studying, she sang and wrote songs for Mpumi Dhlamini (Sony BMG with her song titled "Bana" topping the charts for 3 weeks), Sibongile Khumalo, Themba Mkhize, Lawrence Matshiza and Vusi Khumalo.
Her passion for the promotion of South African arts surpasses that of performing and Kgomotso really believes that her purpose is to be the best agent and creator of work for South African arts consultants and performing artists.
Neno – Rosy Morero Bulane
In a spirited tune, Rosy Morero Bulane- better known as Neno - blows musical wisdom onto her instruments and compositions inciting an emotive response from audiences local and abroad. She is a South African national treasure and one of a few remaining artists of her generation keeping the torch burning for traditional South African music.
