Indigenous music artists train to take their talents further
Indigenous music artists were trained in various skills.
HIGHVELD – Impucuzeko Skills and Training Development held the Mpumalanga Indigenous music workshop hosted by the Mpumalanga Department of Culture, Sports and Recreation at Evander Villas Hotel on Friday, 7 February.
Mr Thabani Mthembu, CEO for Impucuzeko Skills and Training Development, said this workshop was aimed at addressing two main areas of the cultural art, namely indigenous singing and traditional dance and to offer training, advice and coaching on performance and entertainment.
He said that the workshops also addressed legal and commercial aspects of the artists such as contracts, costing, intellectual property rights, marketing and self-branding.
“We made discovered after a research that many artists in this industry have challenges regarding their character, branding and financial management.
“We then designed a programme which deals with intellectual property, marketing and giving answer to their challenges.”
About 90 artists from various municipalities in the province were trained in music publishing, distribution, entertainment law and commercial contract and electronic marketing such as social, web based networking and growing your audience.
Mr Dumisani Mbebe, a South African actor best known for his role as Dumisani Shabani in the SABC1 soapie Generations, made a presentation on keys to positive living and dealing with fame from 2008 to 2011.
“Inter personal skills are important as an artist.”
Mr Mkhwanazi from the Mpumalanga Department of Culture, Sports and Recreation said, “Our mandate as a department is to develop, support and promote art and we have partnered with Impucuzeko to ensure that our mandate is fulfilled.
“We encourage the arts and culture forums to be functional and to scout for talent in their municipalities.
“We have realised that it is difficult to support individual artists and that is why we began forums and give them money to sustain themselves.”
Hloniphani Buthelezi, Maskandi music artist from eMbalenhle, said, “I have learned so much today, such as how to conduct myself as an artist and how to make money because this is also a business.
“I was inspired by Mr Mbebe’s presentation and also that fame can be dangerous and can destroy an artist who is not mature.
“I am going to put into practice everything I have learned today.”
