The Minister of Arts and Culture, Ms Lulu Xingwana, is preparing to present South African music to the world as a full delegation of officials, musicians and music industry representatives head for the French city of Cannes for the 44th annual MIDEM (Marché International du Disque et de l'Edition Musicale).
Regarded globally as the world's largest music industry trade fair, this year’s event gives a very special place to South African music and its industry with the country being named MIDEM’s Country of Honour in 2010.
As part of a full programme of events kicking off on Sunday, 24 January, Minister Xingwana will address a press conference attended by representatives of the global music industry media. Minister Xingwana will address the challenges facing the South African music industry as well as introduce many of the performing artists in attendance at MIDEM.
Included in this line-up is Afro-soul, multi award-winner, Lira, acclaimed hip hop act Zulu Boy, roots music diva Thandiswa Mazwai, MTV Africa Music award winners Jozie, Ndebele star, Nothembi, Afro-folk veteran, Vusi Mahlasela, SAMA-nominated flautist Wouter Kellerman, live reggae favourite Tidal Waves, Afrikaans pop star Kurt Darren, and the Maletangwao Cultural Troupe. These South African artists – long with Benin’s Angelique Kidjo – will be performing for members of the worldwide music industry at MIDEM 2010’s opening party on the evening of 24 January. The music director for the two stages at this prestigious event is award-winning jazz pianist, composer and producer, Themba Mkhize.
Mkhize reveals he has prepared a music programme that draws on both South Africa’s diverse historical roots and the contemporary era.
“It’s a potpourri of musical genres from Isicathimiaya to Afro Pop, Hip Hop, Afro-jazz and much more,” Mkhize says. “The showcase is a melting pot of the old and what young South Africa has to offer. It’s also a tribute to all the music genres that have formed we who are today – not just the struggle songs and songs of freedom that many people know but Afrikaans songs, Ndebele songs and much more.
Adds Mkhize, “Having such a diverse line up of artists to convey South Africa’s multi-faceted music past and present is a magical experience, and is going to go down brilliantly with the international music industry I am sure!”
Another key part of South Africa’s high-profile MIDEM presence is a two-hour focused music industry conference that takes place in Auditorium K, Level 4 between 15h00 and 17h00 on Sunday 24 January.
Participants represent South Africa’s global music industry and its cultural industries with panelists Sello Galane, (Maestro Musician, Academic and Entrepreneur), Sipho Sithole (Strategist, Management Executive, Distinguished Producer of multi-award winning artists, Member of DAC Advisor Committee), Guy Henderson (Senior Vice President, Sony / ATV Music Publishing), Rob Hooijier (Director for Africa Affairs at CISAC), Michelle Constant (Chief Executive Officer at Business and Arts South Africa), Ralph Simon (CEO, The Mobilium International Advisory Group) and Mangaliso Ngema –(Singer, Actor, Voice Artist, Presenter and Guitarist) addressing a range of issues facing the South African and African music industry.
Says Department of Arts and Culture’s Glenn Masokoane – Director: Cultural Development, “Between the brilliant live music and the serious business of music to be tackled by the mini-music conference, South Africa is going to be in the spotlight during this very important global music industry event.”
The South African presence at MIDEM 2010 will be further enhanced by a stand in the main Pavilion in Cannes. This will be used to showcase South African music, labels and organisations to delegates at MIDEM as well as by South African music industry representatives as a place to hold meetings and connect with their global counterparts.
Issued by: Department of Arts and Culture
19 January 2010
Source: Department of Arts and Culture, (http://www.dac.gov.za/index.htm)
