KZN Music Imbizo returns to Durban in August

The KZN Music Imbizo is the coastal province’s premier annual music business conference and exhibition. It collects various music industry stakeholders under one roof to map the way forward for the local music industry. It is a platform to exhibit, network and share expertise and knowledge.

The theme for this year’s eighth edition of the KZN Music Imbizo carries forward an agenda started last year of looking closely at the opportunities that exist within the continent. The official theme is entitled ‘Afrika, my beginning: Building a sustainable music industry within the continent’.

This year’s imbizo will be attracting speakers from Botswana, Namibia, Mozambique, Norway, Denmark and the USA to three days of panel discussions. Speakers scheduled for this year include Aibee Abidoye from Chocolate City in Lagos, Nigeria, legendary South African artist and producer Themba Mkhize, publicist Ian Thanduxolo Jindela and music rights and business specialist Sakhele Mzalazala

This year’s programme will include a six-day performance schedule before, during and after the main conference and exhibition. Artists across a number of genres and backgrounds will perform at numerous venues across Durban, while 60 up-and-coming artists will also get a chance to wow the audience during the day showcases happening at the Workshop Amphitheatre from 23 to 26 August. Artists will be competing for prize money of R10 000 (as well as other prizes), plus the opportunity to join the KZN Music Imbizo team in an international trip.

The KZN Music Imbizo was started in 2009 by local creatives Siphephelo Mbhele and Sibusiso Tsewu. Their vision is simple: to contribute to the creation of a highly organized, sustainable and successful music industry within the continent, where practitioners are knowledgeable and have a world-view of the ins and outs of the music business.

The event has grown over the years, attracting speakers such as Joseph Shabalala from Grammy winners Ladysmith Black Mambazo, David Alexander from Sheer Publishing and artist and label exec Zakes Bantwini, as well as international delegates Monte Malone (from MUSEXPO in Los Angeles, USA) and Seymour Stein (from Warner Bros in New York, USA).

To register to attend the KZN Music Imbizo, click here. For more details see the conference website.