Every year the Music Conference and Exhibition (MOSHITO) grows from strength to strength and this, its 9th year, is no different. Once again this premier South Africa music event will pull together industry leaders, professionals and artists to talk business explore opportunities and build relationships.

With the worldwide music industry in an extraordinary state of transformation it is crucial for all its players to be re-thinking their business strategy both locally and internationally. With this in mind, Moshito 2012 is proud to announce some exciting partnerships for this year’s event.

The first of these is the collaboration with the European Union National Institutes for Culture (EUNIC). Over the years many EUNIC members have supported the conference in their individual capacities. This year EUNIC has taken a more coordinated approach. Engaging with the Conference organisers, EUNIC will identify and invite European participants to form a panel with their African counterparts to participate in the Moshito 2012 programme.

“Obviously there is already a great deal of interaction between African and European musicians, music entrepreneurs, and other actors on the music scene, but we believe that EUNIC's support of the Moshito Music Conference will extend the opportunities for networking, collaboration and business partnerships between the two regions,” said Wayne Harper representing EUNIC.

He went on say that there is an enormous mutual interest in music between Africa and the EU both in trade and cultural relations. Music is of particular interest to EUNIC as an art form which can unite people by easily transcending barriers of language as well as differences of culture – reflecting similarities between the two regions in terms of a diversity of culture and multilingualism.

“This partnership holds great value for us as a music sector enabling Moshito’s prominence in the African market, as well as extending and consolidating our global footprint,” said Moshito chairperson King Phatudi-Mphahlele.

Other partnerships include aligning Moshito 2012 with the SA French Season, which will see collaborations and performances between and with South African and French artists, as well as supporting speakers.

Moshito 2012 continues to build on the relationship established with Jamaica in 2011, creating cultural and business exchanges between SA, Africa and Caribbean. To celebrate Jamaica’s jubilee, Moshito 2012 intends hosting some of the country’s most prolific and iconic reggae artists.

Moshito 2012 joins with Reunion’s Indian Ocean Music Market (IOMMA) in an exchange of opportunities between artists and professionals of the Indian Ocean and those from Europe, Australia, America and Asia. A South African delegation will be attending the event in May this year, with Moshito hosting an IOMMA / Reunion Island delegation in September.

Moshito continues its relationship with the Department of Arts and Culture (DAC) offering its full support for what it believes to be a “major African and global music business meeting point”.

Moshito also congratulates all the SAMA 2012 nominees and winners.

Call for Papers.

Moshito is now calling for experts in their field to participate in the 9th conference programme running from 5th – 7th September 2012 at Sci-Bono centre in Newtown.

This year’s conference will explore the following areas:

• The Socio-economic development (e.g. social security for artists, the rights and status of artists, performers, composers , policy development, SME development, skills development)
• Industry challenges (e.g. licensing, piracy, copyright laws)
• New markets (exploring a “how to” for our artists and products to energise national, continental, international, digital and performance circuits and linked events)
• Technology (investigating the latest trends in technology available to operators in the music industry, honing in on how these can benefit artists, musicians and SMEs)
• Live Music (establishing and / or enhancing performance circuits through festival and live venue circuits for the benefit of our artists)

Papers should be submitted to content@moshito.co.za by no later than 15 June 2012.

Call for Artists

With these international partnerships, Moshito Music Conference and Exhibition boasts an ideal platform for artists to network and showcase their work. This year the introduction of day-cases provides a stage for up and coming bands, while professional evening showcases will take place at a number of venues in the Newtown area.

The call for submissions to perform at this exciting event are now open to both new and professional bands. Visit http://www.moshito.co.za for more information and details. The closing date for submissions is the 30 June 2012.

For further information and announcements for the 2012 Moshito Music Conference & Exhibition visit http://www.moshito.co.za

For interview requests, opportunities to speak to stakeholders and partners and securing photos please contact Vanessa/Mo/Vuyo on (011) 788 7631/2 or media@jtcomms.co.za

Issued by JT Communication Solutions on behalf of MOSHITO 2012