South African's Moshito conference has come to a close and by all accounts, it was a huge success. With numbers up 10% to 600 delegates, and a 30% increase in exhibitors to 48 stands, organizers were well satisfied. "Now in its fifth year, Moshito Music Conference & Exhibition has demonstrated growth beyond anticipation," said Chairman Arnold Mabunda. "The highly credible quality of the conference programme, speakers and topics have earned Moshito the respect and recognition of the entire South African music industry and stake holders. The partnership with WOMEX in content development for Moshtio '08 has also heightened the integrity of the conference and stimulated interest from overseas and Africa. Moshito remains the premier event of the business of music in South Africa and Africa as a whole."

• Increase in sponsorship from Government and private business.
  
• Increase in international participation i.e. speakers and delegates.
  
• Increased participation by Africa countries.
  
• Increase in live events and showcasing.
  
• Formal relationship with WOMEX.
  
• Three year media partnership with SABC (The National Broadcaster TV & Radio).
  
• Positive publicity all-round (see links, below).
  

This year, for the first time, WOMEX collaborated with Moshito in the development of 6 conference sessions and in helping to locate and invite international journalists and professionals, including African professionals.

The sessions focused around key areas of interest. As everywhere, there was keen interest in how digital issues will transform the South African industry the way it has transformed the industry in the Global North. As downloads move onto cellphones, Africa will be finding itself with the same issues that the North has, so far, failed to address effectively. Digital sessions included "People Get Ready - Strategies for the Digital Age," “New Formats and Trends,” “New Digital Markets and How to Best Take Advantage of Existing Opportunities” and “Digital Rights Management - Piracy trends - New Revenue Streams from Digital Downloads.”

Also covered were many sessions on how the local industry can and must organize itself effectively. Though South Africa has long had one of the most developed industries on the continent, many of the sessions reflected the complexity of its issues. These included, “Intellectual Property: Enforcement/ Compliance,” “Leveling the Playing Field for Indies - Ensuring that Indies Get Their Fair Share,” “Collection Societies and How to Firm Up Links between Rights Holders and Income,” “How the Music Industry can Organise Itself to Represent its Own Interests,” “Festival Organizations,” “SABC Music Strategy and Role of Public Service Broadcasting,” “Employment Regulations for Musicians,” “Music and Film,” “Export Readiness” and more.
Other issues covered were how to stimulate more venues in a society with such rich musical cultures but so few places to play. Music and education was also a key issue.

Moshito’s aim is to broaden the business intelligence of music industry professionals in South African and the continent, strengthening business networks for participants and informing delegates, traders and the public about the multifaceted and dynamic nature of the global music industry. Historically, Moshito has its roots in the South African Music Industry Co-operation Initiative (SAMICI) which was formed 2003 as a part of a response to several pressing issues affecting the South Africa industry as a whole. For the first time, a broad base of industry stakeholders joined forces to focus on several key areas of the industry – in particular, music piracy, the need to develop music markets for South African music (especially beyond the country's borders) and the urgent need to create a social benefit and welfare programme for musicians.

Formed as a broadly representative section 21 company in 2004, Moshito Music Conference and Exhibition has focused on playing a significant role in fulfilling the objectives pinpointed by the South African government’s Department of Arts and Culture (DAC).

As far back as 1995, the DAC released its White Paper on Arts, Culture and Heritage. Two critical developments that arose from the White Paper were the 1998 Cultural Industries Growth Strategy (CIGS), and the 2000 Music Industry Task Team (MITT). The CIGS research identified key actions that needed to be undertaken to realise the potential of the music industry to contribute to economic growth. The MITT made 37 recommendations that were felt to be critical to overcome current impasses in the industry.

Moshito Music Conference and Exhibition is an important instrument in the implementation of these policy documents. It works in partnership with the DAC working as well as various music industry organisations and other partners to maximise the role of the industry in economic development, job creation, poverty alleviation and socio-cultural development within South Africa.

Moshito takes place annually in South Africa’s springtime in Johannesburg. It’s principal partners are the Association of Independent Record Companies (AIRCO) , Composers’ Association of South Africa (CASA), Creative Workers’ Union of South Africa (CWUSA), National Organisation for Reproduction Rights in Music in Southern Africa Limited (NORM), South African Music Promoters Association (SAMPA), Southern African Music Rights Organisation, Limited (SAMRO) and the The Music Managers Forum of South Africa (MMFSA).

All pictures used in this article are made by Hush Naidoo :
www.jadephoto.blogspot.com

Links to news articles on Moshito 2008:

Publication: ISOLEZWE (KZN)
Date:10 Sep 2008
Headline: Kuzohlomula abaculi abaningi
Link: http://196.14.40.211/gatec/Temp/10157604uza4jw45e2av4lagttomuj45.pdf

Publication: SATURDAY STAR
Date:13 Sep 2008
Headline: Kuzohlomula abaculi abaningi
Link: http://196.14.40.211/gatec/Temp/10175562htxxlma3rrddbu55r101curp.pdf

Publication: BUSINESS DAY (National)
Date:11 Sep 2008
Headline: Embassies used for smuggling
Link: http://196.14.40.211/gatec/Temp/101621713gvvyu45vmiyn3qj3hged445.pdf

Publication: BEELD, Plus
Date: 15 Sep 2008
Headline: Wits vereer Zaidel-Rudoiph
Link: http://196.14.40.211/gatec/Temp/10179592hmdei245esdwclnxf2w1muiv.pdf

Publication: BURGER (Kaap Stedelik), Saterdag
Date: 06 Sep 2008
Headline: flitse
Link: http://196.14.40.211/gatec/Temp/10135414bnicv1rob5vya1451jdbqie1.pdf

Publication: BUSINESS DAY (National)
Date: 11 Sep 2008
Headline: Arts&Leisure JAZZ
Link: http://196.14.40.211/gatec/Temp/10163002imzdahbbrqvlj045em3r3ka3.pdf

Publication: DAILY SUN
Date: 09 Sep 2008
Headline: Free music for everyone
Link: http://196.14.40.211/gatec/Temp/101452054eitpe45r4ihvzjcercpcr55.pdf

Publication: ILANGA LE THEKU
Date: 11 Sep 2008
Headline: Siphethe izimpendulo
Link: http://196.14.40.211/gatec/Temp/10166613tta2tu45zclp3zuomu0oixew.pdf

Publication: SOWETAN (Late Final)
Date: 10 Sep 2008
Headline: Music shows to liven up Moshitos conference
Link: http://196.14.40.211/gatec/Temp/10154989sj1lenil4qn35miiz3bkw555.pdf

Publication: STAR
Date: 11 Sep 2008
Headline: SABC to feature more local music
Link: http://196.14.40.211/gatec/Temp/10162823f13a0p55gpmows21ikiktfjx.pdf

Publication: WEEKENDER, THE, Weekend Review
Date: 20 Sep 2008
Headline: Singing for peace in the desert
Link: http://196.14.40.211/gatec/Temp/10219364wozxbhjqxmnugqz2cuidwj45.pdf

Publication: CITIZEN (Saturday)
Date: 20 Sep 2008
Headline: ILLICIT DOWNLOADS: TEEN HELD
Link: http://196.14.40.211/gatec/Temp/10218381yenq1x2hnd3pck45pjtdua55.pdf

Publication: CITY PRESS
Date: 21 Sep 2008
Headline: Musos sing foul over Jerusalema
Link: http://196.14.40.211/gatec/Temp/10220182yenq1x2hnd3pck45pjtdua55.pdf

Publication: DAILY DISPATCH
Date: 19 Sep 2008
Headline: My Space spins a new twist to music business
Link: http://196.14.40.211/gatec/Temp/10223999f1ltxdvbeojc3e454u2huwzx.pdf