Chairman Andre le Roux
Deputy Chairman Peter Tladi
MOSHITO Board members
Creative industries organisations represented tonight
Stake holders represented
Exhibitors
Comrades and friends
Warm greetings
MOSHITO resembled a bee hive today with a turnout of more than 500 delegates attending the music conference and exhibition. I am told it is the first time in seven years of its inception that it opened with such a good number of attendees, with the young people dominating the conference.
It is good that the conference is attracting young people who are supposed to take the baton further. Historically MOSHITO has its roots in the South African Music Industry Cooperation Initiative (SAMIC) which was formed to attend to issues affecting our artists.
But I must say I am disappointed that the conference is organised for artists and I had expected to see them having come in numbers, instead during the day I could count popular artists in one hand.
It is important that artists stand united, because divided their challenges will not be properly addressed. It cannot be right that musicians want to be supported only when they are not featured during the hosting of international events and when it comes to attending their own conferences they are missing.
This conference is organised for people in the creative industry not only to network but to learn from each other and help lift each other as they rise.
The purpose and the aim of the conference is to tackle and address matters that prevent their growth, harnessing their skills, benefiting from the opportunities displayed at the exhibition and be introduced to exchange programmes and also meet promoters and producers from other countries who can help find them work in their countries.
MOSHITO is a conference that offers business to business opportunities, it appeals across all markets of the industry, and it has a strong continental presence through networks such as diverse music organisations such as Indian Ocean Music which represents 26 countries and the Equation Music which has affiliates from 18 countries around the world.
I do not think anyone who wants grow in their careers can miss such opportunities displayed at MOSHITO.
We are very happy as government to have partnered with the music industry through this conference for seven years to date. MOSHITO has been able to promote Gauteng as a gateway to music for the continent and the world.
It has helped address challenges of those who are entering the industry as well as the sophisticated issues pertaining to legalities, copyright and the digital world which has taken all industries by storm. Emerging artists also showcase their music talent through the free concerts offered by the conference.
Reflecting on the break-away commissions conducted at today's proceedings; I hope they have helped address the issues of royalties, copyright, signing of contracts, and the increase in the quota on television and radio stations.
With the two remaining days, I challenge you to deal with issues such unity. I urge all of you to find ways of addressing your problems as a collective not as individuals because it retards your growth potential.
In conclusion I would like to encourage artists to know their HIV and AIDS status. This is important as will assist you in taking the best decisions about your health, and will free you from leaving in fear and being reckless.
Drugs are another problem in the creative industry, please do yourselves a favour; refrain! Don't do drugs! One drag does not make you hip or with it, it leads you down the drain where it will be difficult to come out.
Let us all attend the Africa Unite Concert at Mary Fitzgerald Square on Friday night; please go and buy valid tickets at approved outlets, not on the street corners. I also urge you to support the Arts Alive concerts.
Have fun tonight, enjoy and attend the conference in great numbers, it is for your own benefit.
Ngiyabonga.
Source: Department of Sport, Arts, Culture and Recreation, Gauteng Provincial Government
