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Event Music

Moshito 2017 goes back to Newtown

July 13, 2017
Dizu Plaatjies of AmaMpondo and Candy Tsa-Mandebele

Dizu Plaatjies of AmaMpondo and Candy Tsa-Mandebele are the faces of Moshito 2017. Photo cred: Moshito.co.za

When virtually everything that characterized the heartbeat of what used to make Johannesburg tick– music and all that makes it groove– was sucked out of Newtown cultural precinct, Moshito has decided to go back to the City’s creative Centre, Newtown Music Factory (former Bassline) for the 2017 music conference and exhibition taking place from 6 to 9 September.
Until a few years back, Gauteng Tourism, Kaya FM, Standard Bank Joy of Jazz, Xara Books and recently Bassline Africa Day Festival, once were the shining light of Newtown’s creative economy. Except for the Market Theatre, and African Storm’s Ragga Nights happening every Thursday, Newtown is now the shadow of its former glory – a renaissance of Joburg’s cultural expressions. However, this is about to change; the Board of Moshito, probably the most representative and diverse organisation of the music industry’s value chain, has decided to go back to Newtown for its 2017 music conference and exhibition.

Known for its showcases, networking, conferencing and exhibition, drawing over 16 international music markets, over 500 high-quality delegates, where also a forum of over 10 music festivals meet, Moshito has earned its place as the most admired music market and destination on the continent.
In what has become practice for Moshito, this year’s theme is “Rhythms of the Ancients” with Dizu Plaatjies of AmaMpondo and Candy Tsa-Mandebele as the faces of Moshito 2017.

Since 2004 Moshito Music Conference and Exhibition has established itself as Africa’s premiere music industry event. Its purpose is to broaden the business intelligence of music industry professionals in Africa, strengthen business networks for participants and inform delegates, traders and the public about the multifaceted and dynamic nature of the global music industry.

Confirming the decision of the Board to go back to Newtown, Dr Sipho Sithole, the Board Chairperson, said: “As Moshito, we are quite happy with our resolve to ensure that Newtown does not just become a cultural precinct that will be defined as ‘use to be’ or ‘was’. The history of Newtown as a reservoir for all things artistic, music and creative cannot be ignored, hence our decision to go back. This is where Moshito was born and it’s a natural consequence that we should re-occupy that space. It’s a walking distance from the City’s transport hub and therefore the venue is quite accessible to the majority of the industry’s practitioners”.

Dr Sithole’s face lightens up when reflecting on what the Board under his leadership has achieved since its assignment. In the last three years has grown the number of music markets and international delegates attending Moshito from:

  • Doa Doa Music Market (Uganda)
  • Zanzibar Film Festival (Tanzania)
  • ONGEA (Kenya)
  • Musica Minas (Brazil)
  • Visa for Music (Morocco)
  • Atlantic Music Expo (Cape Verde)
  • Indian Ocean Music Market (Reunion Island)
  • MOMIX (Mauritius)
  • National Arts Council (Seychelles)

Global music festival such as:

  • Earth Synch (India)
  • Cross Cultural Festival (Poland)
  • Azgo (Mozambique)
  • Bushfire (Swaziland)
  • Sakifo (Reunion Island)
  • Music Exchange (Cape Town)
  • Breathe Sunshine (Cape Town)
  • KZN Music Imbizo (Durban)

Last year Moshito launched the Moshito-Ukhozi Gospel Festival hosted by Ekurhuleni Municipality and will again take place this year in November at Germiston Lake.
The board of Moshito has set up to ensure this music market not only grows the number of delegates attending the conference and/or the number of exhibitors seeking to trade at this premier event, but it also sought to increase the number of similar music markets from outside the boarders attending Moshito.
Moshito 2017 promises to be bigger and better with its now popular Opening Night Concert on 6 September, the Afro-World Concert on 7 September at Soweto Theatre and the free Street Festival on 9 September.
For enquiries contact Sina Kwepile (Conference Director) on 011 712 8423 or sina@moshito.co.za

-Edited Press Release

  • Reply
    TayTay
    February 14, 2018 at 1:02 pm

    Rise Africa Rise!

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