Empowering Creative Entrepreneurs And Championing South Africa’s Emerging Talent Ahead Of Festival Reunion

The second edition of the Maftown Heights Creative Community Workshop lit up AMPD Studios in Newtown this past Wednesday, 20th November, 2024, as creatives from across South Africa gathered for an inspiring day of education, collaboration, and empowerment.

This landmark event brought together emerging talent, industry veterans, and thought leaders in a powerful demonstration of the transformative potential of the arts.

The workshop was a masterclass in community-driven growth, offering a platform for emerging artists, creative entrepreneurs, and cultural leaders to engage with vital topics and share invaluable insights. With the charismatic Levi Moagi as the programme director, the event unfolded with an energy that resonated throughout the day.

The opening keynote by Motswako pioneer Towdee Mac set the tone for the day. His address, “Motswako – The Journey till now and Vision beyond the Horizon,” highlighted the evolution of the genre and its path forward, inspiring attendees with his vision for the future of South African music.

The workshop’s rich programme featured six dynamic panel discussions, each delving into critical themes for today’s creatives:

1. Motswako as a Social Movement: The Genre’s Cultural and Economic Influence – Moderated by Mpumi Phillips, Managing Director of The Orchard, panelists Oratile Leo Lobelo, JR, Sobukwe Seremane, and Lection explored the genre’s cultural and economic influence, positioning Motswako as more than music; a movement.
2. Supporting Artists’ Rights and Economic Growth – Facilitated by Mandla Maseko (AIRCO), this discussion with Nontando Mokoena (SAMPRA), Roland Nzanzu (CAPASSO), Lesly Mofokeng (RISA), and Stanley Khoza (Moshito) shed light on empowering artists through advocacy and economic structures.
3. Building Sustainable Careers: Accessing Resources and Industry Support – Led by Yule Dlamini (Sony Music Africa), panelists Yoann Chapalain (Africori), Mzukisi Siwundla and Zeus Omega (Kreative Korner), and Ricardo da Costa (Air Agency), shared strategies for accessing industry support and resources.
4. The Business of Motswako: Monetizing Music and Building a Brand in the Digital Age – Facilitated by Rati “Jude” Mmolawa (Believe), speakers such as Towdee Mac (Music Business Consultant), Roland Nzanzu (CAPASSO), Kay Bhengu (Talent Management), Leano Khanye (Artist), and Innocent Shongwe (EMPIRE) unpacked strategies for monetising music and brand-building in the digital era.
5. Accessing Funding and Financial Literacy in the Music Industry – James French (IKS Consulting) steered a conversation featuring Boniface Mazailazila (Department of Sports Arts, and Culture), Lesole Tauatswala (ConHill), Thobela Dlamini (SAMIC), Manaileng Maphike (MCSA), and Karabo Senna (SAMRO), demystifying financial tools and opportunities.
6. The Business of Music Festivals: Opportunities and Challenges – A fitting conclusion facilitated by Refiloe Ramogase (RefRam Productions, Maftown Heights co-founder), with panelists Thabo Kaweng (Department of Arts, Culture, Sports and Recreation), Bakang Dince (Dince Base), Osmic Menoe (Back To The City, SA Hip hop Awards), and Sipho Dlamini (Joy of Jazz) offering a behind-the-scenes look at festival management and its impact on the industry.
7. Speaking on the event’s success, RefRam Productions and Maftown Heights co-founder Refiloe Ramogase shares: “This workshop represents what Maftown Heights is all about—building bridges between the established and the aspiring, fostering knowledge exchange, and investing in the next generation of talent. We’re incredibly proud of the conversations and connections ignited.”
8. The event’s impact was made possible by the generous support of sponsors McDonald’s and Castle Lite, whose commitment to empowering South Africa’s creative community ensured a platform for growth and innovation.
9. The Maftown Heights Creative Community Workshop sets the stage for the highly anticipated Maftown Heights Reunion Festival, happening next Friday, 29 November 2024, at Mary Fitzgerald Square in Newtown, Johannesburg. Promising a star-studded lineup and unforgettable performances, the festival continues the legacy of celebrating Motswako and its transformative power.