Moshito and Samex partnership set to boost SA music trade

It’s all systems go for Moshito Music Conference and Exhibition with the announcement of a key new partnership with the South African Music Export Council (SAMEX) that’s set to considerably boost South Africa’s music trade. At a press conference in Newtown, Johannesburg, Moshito chairman Andre le Roux gave details of the partnership and also advised music industry professionals and those in related industries (like advertising, film production) to set aside September 1st to 3rd for Moshito 2010 which takes place at Museum Africa, Newtown.

“Anyone who attended last year will know that we really stepped up Moshito’s activities in 2009,” he said. “But we’re not resting on our laurels and are currently planning a programme that will see the best local and international experts address the key issues facing the South African music industry.”

A strong focus this year will in giving artists the tools to increase access to
music markets outside the country. This has always been an integral part of Moshito’s conference programme and has also spurred the organisation’s partnerships with the likes of the Indian Ocean Music Network, WOMEX, and Equation Musique.

But 2010 sees Moshito Music Conference and Exhibition formalise this
commitment to boost SA music trade with a partnership with the South
African Music Export Council.

SAMEX’s objectives are creating opportunities for economic growth through
a vibrant export culture in music that promotes innovation, creativity, access, wealth generation, equity and development. Over the past few years, it has pursued this objective by several means including providing supporting services to exporting businesses, ensuring a consistent South African presence at key music focused events, festivals and trade shows, lobbying on the music industry sector’s behalf to reduce international trade barriers and enhance trade and provide opportunities to grow small and micro black owned music enterprises.

Comments David Alexander, SAMEX Chairman, “Our partnership with Moshito allows us to build on work that is part of Moshito’s focus and in turn to focus on achieving our goals of the growth of exports of South African Music products and services
 
“We are proud to partner with an organisation such as Moshito that has
achieved so much in the seven years of its existence and we look forward
to an association that brings both organisations closer to our goal of a
financially secure South African Music Industry.”

One of the real growth areas in 2009 were the Moshito Showcases which
saw the likes of renowned bassist Bakithi Khumalo and current Afro-swamp/ rock hotshots, BLK JKS, play to an enthusiastic response from delegates and music fans.

This commitment to supporting South African artists of all levels is also what’s driving Moshito’s ‘Moshito does iDiski!’ programme taking place during the FIFA 2010 World Cup.

Partnering with artists and 15 venues throughout Johannesburg, ‘Moshito Does iDiski!’ a programme of 40 gigs. From  Newtown to Soweto, from Mabopane to Hatfield and Melville runs from 11 June to 8 July 2010, covering every conceivable genre.

“We are thrilled with this initiative, that in many ways provides a way into
the September 2010 conference and exhibition,” says Le Roux.

“We had the choice to do one big show when we joined forces with the Gauteng Provincial Government and the Newtown Improvement District in planning a programme of live events.

“But it made sense to us to look for partnerships throughout the province that would benefit more musicians and venues and also create relationships that will be long-lasting and ongoing. I believe that the ability our team has to put together a programme like ‘Moshito Does iDiski!’ quickly and effectively bodes really well for what we have in store come September.”

About Moshito...

Moshito is Africa's premier music conference and exhibition that takes place in South Africa. Intended to benefit South African music businesses, Moshito Music Conference and Exhibition is the institutional body that oversees the implementation of the annual Moshito editions and is broadly representative of the South African music industry. Themed 'the business of music', the annual event attracts delegates, speakers and exhibitors from Africa, Indian Ocean Islands, Latin America, Europe and Australia and presents a sound architecture comprising conferencing, exhibitions, showcases, fringe events and music education. Recognising partnerships as a key strategy to its development, Moshito enjoys ongoing support from all tiers of government, the national broadcasting agency, international funding agents and the corporate sector.

For more information about Moshito contact Lee Walters on +27 (0)
82 343 9301 or Sibusiso Tshabalala on +27 (0) 832 712 051, email
info@moshito.co.za or log onto www.moshito.co.za.