Johannesburg, South Africa – Preparations for the fifth annual Moshito Music Conference and Exhibition are in full swing ahead of the September event. Organizers report a growing interest in the upcoming conference and exhibition which will once again see industry professionals from across South Africa, Africa and the international music business meet in Newtown, Johannesburg to network, exchange ideas and opinions, showcase their goods and services and much more.
Already Moshito ’08 – as this year’s event is known – will introduce an exciting new element in the form of a partnership with WOMEX, globally recognized as the premiere World Music Expo on the global music calendar and this year taking place in Sevilla, Spain at the end of October.
“WOMEX will be developing key sessions with us,” reports Moshito chairman, Arnold Mabunda, “and we are very excited about what this highly regarded and very experienced project will bring to Moshito.”
Commented WOMEX General Director, Gerald Seligman "We’ve visited the last two editions of Moshito and were so enthusiastic about what was taking place at this dynamic conference. It’s a focused, well-structured event dedicated to developing skills, supporting national cultures, opening up the international marketplace and, in general, to providing a platform to discuss this challenging moment in the industry. We’re honored to be working with Moshito and feel privileged to be collaborating in the home of one of the world’s richest musical cultures."
WOMEX will be co-developing sessions on the Digital and International Environments with Moshito – and this is just one of the many exciting working relationships that Moshito ’08 will boast.
Already the project has a new partnership with the Gauteng Provincial Government, Department of Sport, Arts, Culture and Recreation. The Moshito Music Conference and Exhibition also enjoys the ongoing support of the City of Joburg and the Department of Arts and Culture nationally.
Moshito ’08 takes place from Wednesday September 10th to Saturday September 13th and is once again built around the participation of registered delegates and the public.
Delegates will have access to the full spread of activities at this year’s event, which includes plenary sessions featuring keynote speeches, breakaway sessions which allow for more focus on the issues being discussed and the hugely popular “Hot Seats” where controversial – but important – topics affecting the South African music industry are put in the spotlight.
The public will be able to attend open information sessions and master classes on Friday September 12th and Saturday September 13th as well as the many fringe events (featuring live performances) that will take place in the Newtown Precinct during Moshito ’08. The exhibition – expected to be much bigger than 2007’s already substantial one – will be open to delegates throughout Moshito ’08 and the public on the two key public days.
Taking place at Museum Africa in Johannesburg’s Newtown Precinct from September 10th to 13th, Moshito ’08’s aim is to broaden the business intelligence of music industry professionals, strengthen business networks for participants and inform delegates, traders and the public about the multifaceted and dynamic nature of what is truly a global cultural industry.
Once again, Moshito’s Conference element will be themed – this year topics include technology, new markets, live music, social development and piracy and these will be spotlighted, debated and unbundled in plenary, breakaway and hot seat sessions. The digital aspect of the global music business will form a key element of Moshito ’08.
Says Mabunda: “We feel extremely proud to be in our fifth year and can look back at the development from Moshito’s inception with a real sense of pride. There have been challenges along the way but we are always pushing our benchmark out and this year are confident of offering a range of presentations, discussions, exhibitions, and networking opportunities that you will not find anywhere else on the African continent.”
Should you want to register as a delegate or company please log onto www.moshito.co.za.
Author: Angel Romero
Angel Romero y Ruiz has dedicated his life to musical exploration. His efforts included the creation of two online portals, worldmusiccentral.org and musicasdelmundo.com. In addition, Angel is the co-founder of the Transglobal World Music Chart, a panel of world music DJs and writers that celebrates global sounds. Furthermore, he delved into the record business, producing world music studio albums and compilations. His works have appeared on Alula Records, Ellipsis Arts, Indígena Records and Music of the World.
