not-to-be missed cultural feast in Cape Town!
17 September 2006
"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 24 September,
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 as 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 event takes place at Museum Africa in Johannesburg's
Newtown Cultural Precinct from 20 - 22 September 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 Chief Executive Officer (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
Motsatse."
Heritage Month saw a full programme swing into effect on 2 September 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 28 September and Cape Town (Western Cape) on 30
September.
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, 24 September 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 a South African National Defence Force (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 18 - 24 September at the Castle of Good
Hope. The exhibition is organised 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 artefacts.
Rounding off the celebrations on 25 September will be the Chorimba Choral
Concert which aims to celebrate South Africa's music heritage through
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 16 September, which the 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:
"Celebrating Our Music, Our Heritage"
Heritage Month 2006
Calendar of events (remaining)
18 - 24 September
South African Music Exhibition
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 the past centuries. It will feature visuals, old music
instruments, records, documents and other interesting artefacts. The National
Film and Video Archives and Moshito, assisted Iziko to put together this
exhibition.
Venue: The Castle of Good Hope, Cape Town
Contact:
Professor H Bredenkamp
Tel: (012) 481 3832
21 September
National Ubuntu Conference, Mpumalanga
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.
Venue: Middelburg
Contact:
Danny Goulkan
Tel: (012) 348 1663
20 - 22 September
Moshito Conference and Exhibition, Johannesburg
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.
Venue: Museum Africa, Newtown Cultural Precinct
Contact:
Daphane Mashaba
Cell: 082 669 1334
24 September
Heritage Day celebrations
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:
An SANDF Parade at the Grand Parade
Speeches at the Grand Parade
A music exhibition at the Castle of Good Hope
Musical performances
Venue: The Grand Parade, Cape Town
Contact:
Phakamani Mthembu
Tel: (012) 441 3033
25 September
The Chorimba Choral Concert
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.
Venue: Artscape Theatre, Cape Town
Contact: Phakamani Mthembu
Tel: (012) 441 3033
Issued on behalf of:
Vanessa Perumal
Tel: (011) 781 9596 / (011) 787 7459
Department of Arts and Culture
Mack Lewele
Tel: (012) 441 3083
Cell: 082 450 5076
Issued by: Department of Arts and Culture
17 September 2006
