KZN MUSIC IMBIZO

Industry players gather for the province’s premier music business exhibition/expo.

The KZN Music Imbizo is the province’s premier music business exhibition/expo with a range of live events. To be held from August 26 to 28 at the Royal Hotel in Durban, the Imbizo is an attempt to collect all industry stakeholders under one roof to breathe life into the KwaZulu-Natal music Industry. It is a platform to exhibit, network, share expertise and knowledge over three days while looking at ways to improve the KZN music industry as a business.

The Imbizo is divided into five parts: Exhibition; Sound Equipment Demo Sessions; Panel Discussions; Live Events and the Music Producer’s Forum. It offers industry stakeholders, experts, artists and players the chance to meet other industry experts, discuss hot new topics and exchange information and views in a friendly and professional environment. It is also the place where business relationships are initiated, developed and maintained.

Some of the panellists and presentations that will form part of the KZN Music Imbizo 2010 are the MAPPP-SETA sector training authority that supports and facilitates education and training in the media, advertising and visual arts, film and electronic media, cultural heritage, publishing, printing and packaging sectors. Also represented will be the Durban Film Office which has a range of stakeholders, including national, provincial, local government, participants in the different business models of the film sector, host communities, local broadcasters, the international production sector, the media, suppliers and technical crew.

Also at the Imbizo will be CIPRO, the result of the merger of two former directorates of the DTI, SACRO – South African Companies Registration Office and SAPTO – South African Patents & Trade Marks Office, and Ukhozi FM which is a full-spectrum station broadcasting in isiZulu to an average daily audience of 6.67 million listeners! Those requiring guidance on intellectual property law will be able to approach the full service international IP law firm, Spoor & Fisher, while Indaba Music is an international community of musicians, music professionals, and fans exploring the creative possibilities of making music with people in different places.

Artist manager DJ Merlon, Part of Derrango Records, will also be at the Imbizo as will The South African Recording Rights Association Limited and ProSound (Pty) Ltd. There will also be presentations from the KZN Department of Arts and Culture, KZN Music House, Pappi Ndelu (a South African artist living abroad) and many others.

More information from Sphe Mbhele, Creative Lead Productions, on 031 307 1988 or email: sphe@creativelead.co.za or visit www.creativelead.co.za