The National Youth Development Agency (NYDA) has partnered with DJ’s United (DJU) and broadcast sponsors SABC1 and SABC Radio for the 7th annual Southern African Music Conference (SAMC). The conference will take place at Moses Mabhida Stadium's Conference Centre in Durban from 28 June to 2 July 2011.
The NYDA is taking part in this initiative to empower the many young people who have talent and passion for music by offering business skills and information on how to access funding and business development services. In addition, to make the event more accessible the NYDA is subsidising the cover charge for the conference so that instead of the normal R500 charge young people only pay R350.
“We want to develop these young people into economically active and business savvy music producers, song writers, DJs or record label owners and make a dent on the high unemployment levels amongst young people," says Steven Ngubeni, the NYDA CEO, explains
Topics covered at the event include running your own independent label, promotion, latest music trends, copyright, mixing, vocal production and music writing. The event features acclaimed names who have a wealth of knowledge to share such as, Rocco (France), Franck Roger (France), Ralf Gum (Germany), Monique Bingham (Belgium), Robert Walker (USA), Culoe de Song (SA) and Black Coffee (SA). They will be joined by the well-respected DJU crew of DJ Christos, Vinny, Fresh, Greg "The Maestro" Maloka, Oskido and many more noteworthy music practitioners.
Featured international vocalists include Monique Bingham and Robert Walker and local superstars include Winnie Khumalo, Professor, Tumelo, Zakes and many more. Hip Hop fans will also be happy to know that there will be a full-on hip-hop dissection by leaders in the South African hip-hop industry, such as, Amu, T'bo Touch, HHP, Slikour, Teargas and Da Les.
According to Oskido if the music industry is to move forward progressively the youth of today need to be properly equipped and nurtured to be ready for such a task. "It’s a fact that some of our music heroes such as Mahlathini, Mpharanyane, Mirriam Makeba and many more learnt the hard way,” says Oskido.
Oskido explains that as seasoned professionals in the music industry they would like to share their experiences with young people so that things are a little easier for them. "This is where the conference is playing a major role by bringing the best-of-the-best under one roof and equipping young people to exploit all available opportunities and turn the music industry into a proper business," Oskido concludes.
