The KwaZulu-Natal Music Industry Association (Kumisa) has called on artists to unite so that the challenges that are currently faced by the industry can be championed. Speaking at the KwaZulu-Natal Music Imbizo held at the Royal Hotel recently, Kumisa board member Nkosinathi Mshengu said, “Let’s form partnerships so we can create jobs.

It is also important that we come up with policies that will better our industry and platforms like the Music Imbizos are here to ensure that this does happen.” He said there is hope only if they work together instead of working against each other.” Mshengu urged artists to take education seriously “Don’t hate books, talent should go hand in hand with education. We also need to use technology to our advantage.” He however lamented the lack of technology and said it one of the areas that needed to be looked at. Kumisa is a non-profit organisation with a vision to promote, protect and invest in the growth and diversity of the provincial music industry.

It is funded and supported by the Durban Film Office and the KwaZulu-Natal Department of Economic Development and Tourism. Durban Film Office Acting CEO Toni Monty, said the Durban Film Office in partnership with the Department of Economic Development and Tourism recently facilitated the establishment of the KZN Music Cluster to prioritise and accelerate development of a financially viable and sustainable music industry in the region. “The cluster has been formerly registered as a non-profit organisation called Kumisa, we are calling for industry stakeholders to get in touch and support the organisation by signing up as members. As part of the membership drive, Kumisa was represented at both the KZN Music Imbizo held at the Royal Hotel in Durban, and Moshito which was held in Johannesburg from 31 August to 2 September 2011.”

She said Kumisa also showcased KZN artists at both events and presented on various panels on the vision and mission of the organisation and critical issues facing the KZN Music Industry. Monty said, “Never before has the KZN Music Industry had such a significant opportunity to present in unity and ensure that their voices are heard. Durban produces so much talent in terms of both film and music but with the major markets based in Johannesburg and Cape Town, this talent more often than not has no choice but to migrate to the bigger centres.

It is our intention to build capacity in Durban to ensure that opportunities for talents to work in Durban are realized, particularly with regards to producers who play a developmental role in the value chain of these sectors.” The Music Imbizo is an annual provincial music business expo and aims to collect all of the pertinent industry players under one roof to breathe life into the KwaZulu-Natal music industry. It is a platform to share expertise, network, and exhibit over the three day expo while finding ways to improve the KwaZulu-Natal music industry as a business.