eSwatini: Antidote Music to host Vukubone Music Conference

The event is part of the Music In Africa Live project, which is supported by the German Federal Foreign Office, Siemens Stiftung and Goethe-Institute. It is intended to provide artists, music producers, artist managers, and record label professionals in eSwatini with the tools to leverage their music careers. As part of the event, eSwatini music industry professionals will participate in panel discussions, masterclasses and networking sessions to explore issues facing the local music industry and to create sustainable career pathways.

Confirmed panellists include local artists Velemseni Ndzimandze, Oriiginelle, Sibusiso ‘Rendition’ Mabuza, Smiles Makama, and Spirits Indigenous duo and SheKings co-founder Thobile Makhoyane.

They will be joined by intellectual property registrar Celucolo Dludlu, Copyright Society Board chairperson Samkeliso Nxumalo, intellectual property expert and Jelele FM director Paul Tarvis, music executive and Antidote Music and Antidote Culture Foundation co-founder Mmeli Hlanze, A&R Manager and SWAMA public relations officer and copywriter Zoë Genesis. Others are Into Music Society director and Legendary Events managing director Nelisa Lawton, Association of Christian Artists in eSwatini president Phetsile Masilela, MTN Bushfire Firefly project manager and PennyB executive director Penny Bouwer, as well as Swazi Boy Entertainment director Mthunzi Zwane.

Topics to be discussed include: The Role of IP Rights in Music Monetisation, Women in Music: Empowering Women Leadership In Music, Music Value Chain: Introduction to the Digital Music and Streaming Age, Where to from here? Challenges and Opportunities for Swazi Music, Mental Health Awareness in the Music Industry, Music Innovation in eSwatini: In Conversation with Smiles Makama, and The Use of Swati Folklore In Music: In Conversation with Nana Magagula.

“We look to accelerate eSwatini’s music outputs through sharing knowledge and information on key issues, such as IP Rights, the current status of the digital music ecosystem and other aspects that are shaping the future of global music,” Vukubone Music Conference project manager Sizo Hlophe told Music In Africa. “We look to analyse the current status of eSwatini’s music industry and establish a starting point for a collective growth for Swazi music and look into various ways to sustainably increase the level of monetisation.”

Hlophe said the conference, which is free upon registration, would feature two music performances by Smile Makama and Nana Magagula on 27 August. The event, he said, is seeking to change the local music scene by “discussing the tangible and intangible issues the local music industry is facing, from lack of abundant knowledge about intellectual property rights among artists, the lack of women in more leadership roles within the local music industry, to mental health issues and innovation in music.”

Hlophe implored artists to come to the conference with a more intentional and realistic approach as it is curated to address a wide variety of topics. “In eSwatini, music and the arts at large are often seen as a hobby for those who couldn’t make it in school. Vukubone Music Conference is our contribution towards positioning our artists and eSwatini to stake its claim in the thriving global creative economy.”

Panellists’ insights

Mabuza said he hopes to inspire aspiring artists through his own journey as a Grammy winner, adding that the conference would help them understand what it takes to be successful.

“It’ll bring together artists and professionals from different parts of the music industry and facilitate networking and collaboration which is something that lacks in our industry. Lastly, it is important because it is being hosted by an organisation that resonates with and is trusted by the youth and that alone will be important in terms of getting the right level of commitment and engagement from them.”

Ndzimandze, who is also a music lecturer, described the event as an amazing opportunity for artists to come together and learn more about the music business.

“It is so important for Swazi [eSwatini] artists to learn how to play the game and get as much from the industry as they can. It is my honour to be one of the speakers this year. I hope my experience as both a music educator and working artist can be an example of the endless job opportunities within the music industry; it is possible to live well through the arts in eSwatini and beyond.”

Bouwer said she was excited to be included on a panel that will discuss an industry that is predominantly male.

“I am passionate about the arts. As a female in a globally male-dominated industry, I believe I have fought very hard to elevate the arts industry in eSwatini through various ideas since 2014. I am super excited to be part of this panel of phenomenal #WomenInMusic to share my experience, thoughts and advice to fellow females (and all creatives) looking to create a career in the industry.”

Find more about the Vukubone Music Conference here.

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