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17 September 2006
Heritage Month Puts Spotlight On Music – “Celebrating Our Music, Our Heritage ” Johannesburg : South Africa’s 2006 Heritage Month is already in full swing – and this year music occupies the spotlight through a series of events that culminate in a not-to-be missed day of culture in Cape Town on September 24 th, attended by President Thabo Mbeki and other dignitaries. According to the Department of Arts and Culture (DAC), “Celebrating Our Music, Our Heritage” has been chosen as the 2006 theme because of music’s significance as a cultural industry”. “Music is something that all South Africans identify with – as part of their cultural backgrounds and experiences growing up and as adults, and we want to celebrate that heritage in all its diversity this month,” the Department said. “The incredible thing about music is that not only is it something that shapes our identity as individuals and a nation, but it also presents so many varied opportunities for economic development, for entrepreneurship, and for growth. “This means that alongside the element of celebration that will mark this year’s Heritage month, there are also skills transfer workshops, and the all-important Moshito Music Conference and Exhibition – both initiatives that can assist individuals and organisations in turning music into a way to earn a living and contribute to South Africa’s economy. In an effort to ensure a comprehensive Heritage Month programme focusing on music, the DAC has partnered with the Moshito Conference and Exhibition - a Section 21 company that was formed for the specific purpose of organising an annual music conference and market on behalf of the music industry and the government. This year’s Moshito takes place at Museum Africa in Johannesburg’s Newtown Cultural Precinct on September 20 th to 22 nd and, as an integral part of Heritage month; it operates under the same theme of “Celebrating Our Music, Our Heritage”. The Minister of Arts and Culture, Dr Z Pallo Jordan will open the conference. Mr. Themba Wakashe, the Deputy Director General: DAC will open the exhibition element of Moshito ’06. Says Nick Motsatse, Moshito Chairman and CEO of the Southern African Music Rights Organisation, “Moshito is now in its third year and we have partnered with the DAC from the beginning – not only on the music conference and exhibition itself, but in the projects that have flowed out of Moshito, including our visit to the Midem music market in France earlier this year and the establishment of bodies like the South African Music Export Council (SAMEC). “This year Moshito is an integral part of Heritage Month and we are honoured to be playing a role in organising the workshops, live events and, of course, the conference and exhibition at Museum Africa. We believe that music, as part of our heritage, has the capability of being a transforming cultural industry and we are already seeing the fruits of that vision, said Mot tsatse.” Heritage Month saw a full programme swing into effect on September 2 nd with a music workshop in Polokwane, Limpopo. The workshops provide a platform for career fair and networking in the music industry, how to record and market a demo, negotiating a record deal and understanding contracts, the basics of copyright and artist performances and gigs. The workshops have been conceived and implemented through the on-going partnership between the DAC and Moshito Music Conference and Exhibition. Already this highly informative and tailor-made workshop has also taken place in several other cities, including Nelspruit ( Mpumalanga), Durban (KwaZulu Natal), Mafikeng ( North West) and Bloemfontein ( Free State). Heritage Month ‘”Celebrating Our Music, Our Heritage” workshops will also take place in Kimberley (Northern Cape) on September 28 th and Cape Town (Western Cape) on September 30 th. Alongside this and the Moshito Music Conference and Exhibition, another highlight will be the National Ubuntu Conference taking place in Middelberg in Mpumalanga. The theme of the conference is bringing Ubuntu to life in reconstructing South Africa. The centrepiece of the month-long “Celebrating Our Music, Our Heritage’ programme will be on Heritage Day-September 24 th at an event, to be attended by President Mbeki, Minister Jordan and many other dignitaries. Cape Town is the location for the celebration that takes place at the Grand Parade and the Castle of Good Hope and includes an SANDF Parade, speeches, music performances (from a broad cross-section of genres) and a music exhibition. Capetonians can also enjoy a unique exhibition – the South African Music Exhibition– which takes place from September 18 to 24 th at the Castle of Good Hope. The exhibition is organized by the Iziko Museums of Cape Town on behalf of the DAC. The exhibition will showcase the development of South African music over the past centuries and will feature visuals, old music instruments, records, documents and other interesting artifacts. Rounding off the celebrations on September 25 th will be the Chorimba Choral Concert which aims to celebrate South Africa’s music heritage through a collaboration between the Chorimba Band and Choir, the Ngcukana Brothers and singer, Ntando. Other elements of Heritage Month included the launch of the Abdullah Ibrahim-headed Cape Town Jazz Orchestra on September 16 th which DAC described as an initiative to strengthen the standing of South African jazz on the global scene as well as to “create a link between the talented youth and what has gone before and, at the same time, create opportunities for musicians to take their rightful place in society." Says Mr Wakashe: “Making the links between the past and the present is vital when it comes to our heritage – and with music, those links present themselves so naturally and so exceptionally that we really are enjoying an exceptional Heritage Month this year.” For further information: 18-24 Sept This exciting exhibition put together by Iziko Museums of Cape Town on behalf of the Department of Arts and Culture will showcase the development of South African music from over the past centuries. It will feature visuals, old music instruments, records, documents and other interesting artifacts. The National Film and Video Archives and Moshito assisted Iziko to put together this exhibition. The Castle of Good Hope, Cape Town 21 Sept The National Heritage Council will host the Ubuntu Imbizo (National Conversation) that will bring the 12 different cultures together to deliberate on how Ubuntu can become a reality in reconstructing our society. This is a national campaign to recall the principles and values of Ubuntu as the heritage of the African people. It is also a response to the statement made by the President of the Republic of South Africa on Heritage Day in September 2005 in Taung, where he called on society to simplify the understanding and practice of Ubuntu. Middelburg 20-22 Sept This three-day conference and exhibition is South Africa’s premier music industry gathering and this year puts the spotlight on music, heritage and the business of music. A range of international and South African speakers address plenary sessions on day 1, with day 2 comprising panel discussions and ‘Hot Seat’ topics, which deal with a broad spectrum of issues facing the domestic music industry. Day 3 is a report back on achievements since Moshito ’05 and a wrap up of the 2006 conference. An exhibition of products, services, companies and more runs throughout the three-day event, which takes place in Museum Africa, with a music photographic exhibition providing the backdrop. Museum Africa 24 Sept The 2006 Heritage Day Programme will be characterised by a music extravaganza, wherein the richness of South African music will be showcased inclusive of traditional music, jazz, kwaito, house and mbaqanga to name just a few. A key feature of the programme will be the commissioning of a music piece that will showcase the development of South African music from the beginning of the 20th century up till the present stage. The programme for Heritage Day will consist of: 25 Sept The concert will Celebrate South Africa’s music heritage with the Chorimba band and choir featuring the Ngcukana Brothers in Cape Town. The band and choir working from Langa will be joined by Ntando as an invited guest artist. Artscape Issued by: on behalf of: Vanessa Perumal Department of Arts and Culture Department of Arts and Culture |
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