Kumisa calls for more members

It was created through a partnership between the eThekwini municipality's Durban Film Office, operating under the auspices of the Economic Development Unit, and the provincial Department of Economic Development and Tourism, that aims to serve and represent the interests of the KwaZulu-Natal music industry nationally and internationally.

"We look to invest in the growth and diversity of the KwaZulu-Natal music industry," says Nkosinathi Mshengu, chairperson. Its agenda is twofold; to develop the capacity of KwaZulu-Natal music business to actively compete and thrive in a national market, as well as to promote and package KwaZulu-Natal music for global market accessibility.

Benefits

• Affiliation to a professional and credible association - it is a formal body with strong ties in local, provincial and national government, external stakeholders and playmakers
  
• Recognition and respect - it acknowledges professional talent and treats each artist with the integrity and respect he or she rightfully deserves;
  
• Regulation of discrepancies - just as with any official body, it abides by a code of conduct that governs practice and implementation
  
• Acceptance and appreciation - it considers all genres of music as equals; it prioritises the preservation and promotion of indigenous KwaZulu-Natal music, as well as all commercial music
  
• Strength in numbers - it lobbies on industry's behalf with policy-makers, to protect, promote and advocate for the rights of all music industry practitioners within its membership
  
• It gives members a name - it creates an artist profile and listing to get names out there and visible to potential clients
  
• It gives members a voice - it fosters an invaluable link between industry, government and artists. It also gives members a say in the way things are governed
  
• Gateway to endless opportunities - its members chose from a selection of programmes such as workshops and seminars to up skill and support music business across the value chain to better access local and international opportunities
  
• It creates dialogue - it promotes networking and communication between music industry professionals. It also give members access to relevant information with regular updates on news, industry issues, events and business opportunities
  
• Personalised service - it understands that needs differ for artists, hence it offers individual packages to suit their needs
  
• Open book policy - it invites all members and stakeholders to its AGM to report on progress, while at the same time providing a platform for launching activities for the ensuing year

Its goal is to accelerate the development of a sustainable and financially productive music industry within the province. It wants to arrive at a place where the province is revered for the promotion and appreciation of local music.

For more, go to www.kumisa.com.