The Department of Trade and Industry, (the dti) together with the Companies and Intellectual Property Commission (CIPC) hosted an empowerment workshop in Nelspruit aimed to encourage the creative industry in the province to formalise themselves.
The purpose the workshop which was attended by more than hundred artists was to equip members of the creative industry, including musicians, actors, composers, film producers, dancers, poets, and other artists with information so they can register their businesses and operate formally.
Ms Meshenah Padayachy from the Intellectual Property unit at the dti, said the department as the custodian of intellectual property, has embarked on three programmes which are Formalisation, Anti-piracy and Copy Right Review in order to alleviate the plight of the creative industry, in particular the music sector.
“The formalisation of the sector is necessary so that artists can formally run their businesses, and be able to access required opportunities from government. This will assist them to go a long way,” said Padayachy.
She stated that artist’s formalisation will help them in growing as brands and also to access incentives from the dti and other government departments.
The chairperson of the Nkomazi Arts and Culture forum, Mr Thabo Dlamini welcomed the initiative by the dti and CIPC and said this was a positive move on behalf of government to empower all artists regardless of where they come from.
“We benefitted a lot from the workshop and wish that others can be conducted in the future with all stakeholders involved including the municipality and the province,” said Dlamini.
Dlamini urged artists in the province to capacitate themselves and work together in order to access opportunities in South Africa and abroad.'
The South African government’s strategy to assist the creative industry is also a result of the sector meeting and consultation with the industry that President Jacob Zuma had in November 2009, as well as a subsequent meeting that Deputy Minister Tobias-Pokolo had with artists in April 2010. In both meetings, numerous problems dogging the industry were raised. These include allegations of mismanagement in the distribution of copyright royalties.
Enquiries:
Sidwell Medupe, Departmental Spokesperson
Tel: 012 394 1650
Cell: 079 492 1774
E-mail: MSMedupe@thedti.gov.za.
