22 recipients announced for latest round of Music Mobility Fund

Initiated in 2013, the fund offers opportunities for South African musicians to undertake tours across southern Africa. So far the fund has supported over 250 artists and close to 100 tours across the length and breadth of southern Africa, from Cape Town to Tanzania.

Following the call for applications earlier this year, a total of 22 projects were successful and will be supported in South Africa (15 tours) and in the larger SADC region (7 tours). Tours selected for support in this round cover a wide range of music expressions.

Recipients of the national touring fund are: Conroy Cupido, Rowan Stuart, Mezzanine Floor, Shane Cooper’s Skyjack, Saxit Quartet, Sibot, Ernie Smith, Concord Nkabinde, Taxi Violence, Fifi the Raiblaster, Titi Luzipo, Mageshen Naidoo, Ariel Zamonsky, Oscar Rachabane (from Amandla Freedom Ensemble) and Joel Karabo Elliot.

The recipients for regional touring are: Yeoville Radio, The City, Ildo Nandja, Native Young, Black South Easter, UCT Ibuyambo Orchestra and Salim Washington (from UKZN).

The latest round of the Music Mobility Fund received 92 proposals from established and emerging musicians. The quality of submissions was extremely high, making the task of selecting successful applicants extremely difficult. Final selection was based on alignment with the objectives of the Music Mobility Fund and conditions as set out in the call for proposals.

Designed to help musicians, music industry professionals and organisations build on already established domestic success and develop connections, markets and audiences for their work, the fund provides support towards travel and transportation, per diems, material costs (hiring of backline and sound equipment), accommodation and visas.

According to Nailla Dollie of Concerts SA, “Over the past three years our programmes have contributed to building music circuits with increased gigging of over 1000 artists in and around the cities and townships across southern Africa. It has also incentivised individual artists and many bands to pack their bags and tour little towns and dorpies, festivals at home and in neighbouring countries.”