The contribution of the South African creative industry to the country’s Gross Domestic Product and job creation, could rise significantly if artists were to formalise themselves into economically viable and sustainable businesses.
This was said by the Director of Strategy in the Consumer and Corporate Regulation Division of the Department of Trade and Industry (the dti), Ms Busisiwe Ngwenya. She was addressing musicians, poets, artists, film producers, performers and actors from various districts of Limpopo at a formalisation workshop that was hosted by the dti at the Café Pavilion in Polokwane today.
"One of the key objectives of the dti is to ensure that all sectors are participating effectively and contributing meaningfully in the economy of the country. We recognise that the creative industry has the potential to create jobs and contribute significantly to the country’s economic growth and the Gross Domestic Product. Government is providing various incentives as part of its enterprise development initiatives aimed at providing support to businesses to make them viable and sustainable," said Ngwenya.
She added that the workshop was one of the interventions that government was implementing to assist artists make a living from their talents. This was after they held a meeting with President Jacob Zuma in where artists complained about various issues including exploitation, royalties, copyright, intellectual property infringements and counterfeiting of their music and films.
"It is crucial that you do not see yourself as an entertainer only, but a businessperson who provides a service and produces a product for a fee. You need to take charge of your affairs and understand your rights on issues related to copyrights and intellectual property, amongst others. Formalising your businesses will also enable you to access the non-financial support, as well as incentives from government," said Ngwenya.
Limpopo music practitioner and teacher, Mr Mukundi "Knowledge" Makhwara, said it was time that artists earned what they deserve, just like people in other sectors of the economy of South Africa. He appealed to all government spheres to support artists financially and non-financially.
"This province is teeming with unlimited talent but artists need support in order to produce world class products that can enable to compete nationally and internationally, thereby helping them to earn a living and contribute to employment creation," said Makhwara. He also advised artists to do their part by becoming innovative and produce quality products that will appeal to a broader market.
Mr Fortune Maswanganyi, who is popularly known as DJ Cappuccino said there was a need for Limpopo artists to work closely together and empower themselves more as there were challenges that they still experience in the province.
Enquiries:
Sidwell Medupe, Departmental Spokesperson
Tel: 012 394 1650
Cell: 079 492 1774
E-mail: MSMedupe@thedti.gov.za
Follow us on Twitter: @the_dti
