Minister’s opening speech at MIDEM

Last edited: January 25, 2010

Posted by Business and Arts South Africa

Speech for the Minister of Arts and Culture, Republic of South Africa, Ms Lulama Xingwana at MIDEM 2010 press conference on 24 January 2010

MIDEM CEO, Mr Paul Zilk, Director at MIDEM, Ms Dominique Leguern, Ambassador of South Africa in France, Dr Konji Sebati, Director General – Department of Arts and Culture, South Africa, Themba Wakashe, The Media, Honourable guests, Ladies and Gentlemen,

It is with a deep sense of pride that South Africa stands before you to announce its presence to celebrate the Music of Africa with the international music fraternity. South Africa is indeed humbled to be the Country of Honour at MIDEM 2010.

We have come to MIDEM 2010 to promote our music and our music industries and to invite you to celebrate the FIFA World Cup 2010 in South Africa which will also be filled with beautiful South African music and dance, arts and crafts and unique experience of our majestic heritage cultural tourism sites such as the Cradle of Humankind near Johannesburg and Robben Island in Cape Town.

In the global economy, the music business has become one of the most important industries that drive the cultural and communication and broadcasting systems. The audio visual industries are growing exponentially. The patterns of distribution and consumption are ever changing. The developing world and Africa have become important new markets and will continue to do so in the future.

There is no doubt that South Africa’s participation at MIDEM 2010 is one way of responding to this new way of making business in the music sector.

South Africa as part of the African continent is embarking on various initiatives of doing business with the rest of the world. Our end game is mainstreaming our cultural treasures and heritage in the emerging economies with the objective of making South Africa the centrepiece in cultural and creative production with strong internal and global distribution networks to make our South African music content available on all platforms.

Our policy and ethos in supporting music development is not only driven by entertainment needs per se but is also driven by the need to create jobs and meaningful employment. But more importantly, to support social cohesion in a new democratic South Africa. Music is the golden thread that holds South African society together. I am happy that the MIDEM platform will help bring South Africa’s musical heritage to the world.

We have brought to MIDEM a star studded cast of the very best South African music can offer. Our presentation at MIDEM 2010 will pay tribute to the heritage of South African culture by reflecting various artistic talents embedded from a plethora of musical cultural expressions. We will highlight the wealth of South African artistic talents through a line-up of award-winning, chart-topping and iconic artists. Hotshot urban act Jozi, platinum pop outfit, The Parlotones, multi South African Music Award-winner Lira, critically acclaimed hip hop act ZuluBoy, magical diva Thandiswa Mazwai, and South Africa’s folklorist star, Nothembi, Afro-folk veteran, Vusi Mahlasela, SAMA-nominated flautist Wouter Kellerman, live favourites Tidal Waves, charismatic Kurt Darren, and the Maletangwao Cultural Troupe the foot-stompers from the African village are among the artists who will fly the South African flag high at MIDEM 2010 Opening Night event today.

Tomorrow we pay tribute to one of Africa’s musical icons Mama Miriam Makeba who is well known to the world. This tribute is shared with Benin’s super star Angelique Kidjo, a great friend of South Africa. Angelique will pay tribute to Mama Miriam Makeba in a memorable collaboration with Vusi Mahlasela – one of South Africa’s indigenous poets and musicians.

Our presence at MIDEM 2010 features the South African Pavilion - our home away from home. Please make sure you visit our stand as it is where we will be showcasing South African music, labels and organisations. You will be able to meet South Africa music industry representatives.

We are also delighted to invite you to our special high-profile MIDEM Seminar on Making Music Business in Africa – Telling the South African Music story. This is a very important seminar for us, as it will bring to the fore the opportunities and networking possibilities of doing music in Africa.

Ladies and gentlemen, I guess you are aware by now that the headline for our presentation at MIDEM 2010 is titled – Celebrating Africa’s Music. The choice of the theme confirms linkages between MIDEM 2010 and the much awaited 2010 FIFA World Cup in South Africa hence the FIFA World Cup slogan – Celebrate Africa’s Humanity. To us MIDEM 2010 kicks off the year by promoting South African culture to the worldwide stage, thus culminating with the hosting of the 2010 World Cup in June and July. We have brought with us the Dept of Culture Cultural Programme Coordinator for the FIFA 2010 World Cup – Ms Duduzile Mazibuko. She will provide you with further information about our plans relating to the cultural programme during the FIFA event. Please visit the South African Pavilion to further engage her on such matters.

We are very excited about our delegation which includes a “fantastic” representation of South African music talent and business. I trust that you will interact with us on all matters relating to making music business in South Africa. That’s why we are here.

To all the South African artists who are participating at MIDEM 2010 I would like to thank you for venturing out to make business contacts – We wish all of you good-luck. I am certain that we will all succeed.

AFRIKA KE NAKO!!!!!!!!

I thank you.