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Music Indasba 2000
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Speeches and Media Releases
 Sports, Arts Culture

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 EASTERN CAPE PROVINCIAL GOVERNMENT
 SPEECH BY MR MAX MAMASE, ACTING MEC FOR DEPARTMENT OF SPORTS, ARTS AND CULTURE AT MUSIC INDABA 2000, GRAHAMSTOWN
30 JUNE 2000

1.INTRODUCTION

Master of Ceremonies, honoured guests, Ladies and Gentlemen, we are gathered here today to once more witness another leap forward in the 
development of choral music in our Province of the Eastern Cape.

On 31 January to 04 February 2000 the Department of Sport, Arts and Culture, in collaboration with the Norwegian Government and the 
University of Port Elizabeth trained - choir conductors of the Province, at a summer school that was held in Port Elizabeth.

The Yizani Sicule Choral Music Development Project culminated in a publication which was formally launched on the 4th of February 2000.The 
book and the cassette kit is well received by conductors who represent all the music associations in the Province.The kit closes the gap of 
a lack of resources in the majority of schools and institutions of learning and provides a valuable support to all conductors for music 
competitions.

To acknowledge and pay respect to the composers of our Province, past and present, the Department organised the Composers Day which was 
held at Feather Market Hall on 18 March 2000.The project honoured Eastern Cape Composers, to name a few: Bokwe, Calata, Foley, Gwashu, 
Jorha, Mantyuntya, Mjekula, Moetane, Myataza, Ngxokolo, Mtyobo, Qwesha, Tyamzashe, Sontonga, Sidyilo and Ralarala.

The response of the community, the media and the National Department of Arts, Culture, Science and Technology, attest to the resounding 
success of project.

Today we have again converged here, through co-incidence, the Western Region, to erect another milestone, the New Music Indaba 2000, a 
project that is a partnership between Rhodes University and the Department of Sport, Recreation, Arts and Culture.This celebration of South 
African music in general, and the music of our Province in particular is long overdue.

The selection of choirs that will perform here today as test to strategy of government of focussing on both the urban and rural 
underdeveloped performers. We understand that three choirs:

* Joy of Africa
* Moonlight Youth Choir from Berlin, and
* Masakheke Choir from Grahamstown

are just a representative sample, which will give a clear indication whether the Department should continue its support to this pilot 
project.We also understand that due to logistical and budgetary constraints the project had to be small at his initial stage.

We wish to applaud the choristers and the experts from Rhodes University who provide training and support for the effort that they inject 
towards the development of choral music in our Province.

We thank them for the zeal and enthusiasm which they continue to make despite the difficult circumstances under which they operate.

The Department is committed towards taking forward the gains that have been achieve through the Conductors Workshop, the Yizani Sicule 
Project, the Composers Awards and, today, the New Music Indaba 2000.

2.THE SIGNIFICANCE OF MUSIC INDUSTRY

Research findings reflects that the South African Music Industry is a vibrant and growing sector of the economy.We learn that it grew in 
value by 70.7% between 19922 - 1996 making it the 23rd fastest growing music market in the world.The gross turnover of the South African 
Industry in 19965 was approximately R900 million.It is estimated that the industry is worth around R2 billion and employs approximately 
12000 people.(Report by the Cultural Strategy Group July 1998)

There are benefits within the South African markets that can be enjoyed by musicians of our Province of the Eastern Cape.The musicians of 
our Province can benefit more than they do and receive greater rewards in the South African Music Industry.He challenge that faces is all 
is how to ensure that this becomes the reality that we all look forward to.

Creating a favourable environment

PACC legislation

The Department of Sport, Arts and Culture has recently passed the Eastern Cape Provincial Arts and Culture Council Bill. This piece of 
legislation seeks to promote, monitor and foster the development of arts and culture in general, and the Music Industry in particular.

The juristic person created by this act will have a responsibility of advising the MEC on matters pertaining to arts, and culture, and 
provide short, medium and long term funding to arts and culture groups, programmes and individuals.The legislation of the ECPACC is a 
strategy that seeks to address the challenge of limited resources for development and promotion of arts and culture in general, and the 
music industry in particular.

An invitation is extended to budding musicians to submit applications for financial assistance to the Provincial Arts and Culture Council.

Cultural Industries Growth Strategy

Master of Ceremonies, Ladies and Gentlemen, our Province of the Eastern Cape faces a vast range of challenges.The high levelsof 
unemployment require us to develop strategies that will make arts and culture contribute towards economics development of our communities.

It is against this background that our Government fully support the Cultural Industries Growth Strategy which seeks to develop to the full 
the music industry.

We all know that choral music is strength of the Province of the Eastern Cape.Why dont we capitalize on this strength and export choral 
music to national and international fora.

The province has a rich heritage of music and large pool of talented musicians,, young and old.It Is sad that due to lack of facilities 
this talent in each and every day leaving our Province for the Gauteng Province

The Audio Visual Project, a partnership with the University of Fort Hare is an attempt at redressing this imbalance.The project will 
provide recording and marketing facilities and will play an important role towards the development of music in the Province.

Conclusion

Master of Ceremonies, Ladies and Gentlemen, with these few remarks, I wish to congratulate Rhodes University and the directorate of Arts 
and Culture for successfully organising this event.For those who come from within the Province welcome home, for those who come from beyond 
the borders of the Province, welcome to the friendly Province of the Eastern Cape.

Together we can!

Sisonke Sinako!

I thank you.

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