VALUE FOR THE SA MUSIC INDUSTRY

This past week was special. I am so grateful for the opportunity Mr le Roux offered me. His emotional intelligence is admirable. I think that skill lacks in many organisations' managers, judging from other people's comments and perceptions about their bosses. From Monday, my tasks were extended to assisting Alpha Mampane and Anriette Chorn with some administrative tasks. Alpha also helped me to grasp the basics of some Microsoft programs that SENA uses for organisational purposes. I practiced using some of these programs at home and gained a better understanding of organizational issues and the importance of professionalism.

Although SAMRO is currently receiving negative publicity, it is that publicity that keeps the SAMRO brand in people’s minds. I wonder whether SAMRO’s competitors gave much thought to that, especially because of the saying “Any publicity is good publicity”. On SAMRO’s side though, the pressure is on to convince SAMRO’s stakeholders that SAMRO is really an organization that musicians and literary artists can trust and be proud to be associated with. As a student assistant at SENA, the SAMRO Endowment for the National Arts' music archives section, it is imperative for me to understand the way the organization works and project their professionalism to onlookers. Anriette Chorn, a very smart, diligent woman, was kind enough to lend me some booklets that explain the initiatives SAMRO is part of.

One of these booklets is titled “South Atlantic Jazz Music Conference”. From what I read so far, this book highlights the need to have a sector body that brings all relevant arts (e.g music) industry players under one organization, “Those involved with such a sector body would have to develop an understanding of the industry and its complexities and maximize its value and profitability”, Delecia Forbes contributed in page 12 of the booklet. All this would require more research into the music industry business. I think it is a great idea! Organisations such as the American Society for Composers, Authors and Publishers and the American Guild of Musical Artists have made things easier and more professional in terms of the business of their artists’ craft. This gives artists more time to produce a higher quality of work. This morning I received some exciting news!!! Andre le Roux, SENA’s general manager invited Vorster Ramonyathi and I to take part in discussions about improving the live performance sector of the South African music industry. Should the projects to be implemented become successful, the value of our South African music brand will increase, thanks to SAMRO.