The South African Music Rights Organisation (Samro) will host its first roundtable in Johannesburg on Wednesday to address what its described as a ‘divide’ in the sector.
Speaking on what has prompted the introduction of the new platform, spokesperson Tiyani Maluleke says most of the conversation surrounding the business of music has been limited to boardrooms.
“Our industry is known as the most divided in South Africa. We do not speak with one voice; people are sometimes nervous to raise issues with organisations. We are saying to people in the industry… talk to us because sometimes we are sitting in offices, we don’t know what the real challenges are.”
Public platforms like social media have so far been used to drive dialogue with hashtags like 'Open Up the Industry' bringing to the fore a public perception that there is little opportunity for new talent, and jazz maestro Don Laka driving his successful campaign to give artists more radio airplay.
Maluleke says a robust discussion among both key industry players and artists may help find a more concrete solution to some of these problems.
“It’s not a Samro panel, it’s an industry panel to say these are the challenges that exist, what do we do as organisations to ensure that we find solutions that perfectly fit the people that we serve or are supposed to be serving. We are planning to have more sessions and extend them to other provinces.”
