German Market Entry Program

MPASA was honoured to be invited by Hamburg Music to take part in their German music business trade mission to South Africa. The program took place from February 5 to 9, 2024, and included visits to Johannesburg and Cape Town, where the German delegation engaged with key players in the South African music industry.

The delegation comprised of 10 German SMEs representing various sectors of the music industry, including Publishing, Recorded Music and Distribution, Live Entertainment, and Artist Management. The mission aimed to foster collaboration and exchange between the German and South African music industries, exploring opportunities for partnership and growth.

MPASA members participated in meetings and networking sessions with the delegation, and MPASA Chairperson Thando Makhunga took part in a panel discussion where she provided valuable insights into the South African music market and its potential for international collaboration. The visit highlighted the importance of cross-border cooperation in the music industry and the mutual benefits of sharing knowledge and resources.

We look forward to potential future collaborations Hamburg Music and its German delegates that will further strengthen the ties between the German and South African music industries.

Member Feature: Prez Record Music

MPASA Member Feature March 2024

Origins and Vision

Upon noticing the undiscovered talent around them that lacked direction on how to navigate the music industry, Karabo Ndobela and Sanele Mthethwa established Prez Record Music from a deep-rooted passion for music and a desire to create a platform that nurtures and promotes undiscovered talent. Prez Record is a music publisher currently focused on Amapiano, afro-soul, afro-pop, and has a wide range of producers and songwriters on their record label side of the business. We at MPASA had the opportunity to interview Karabo who shared his vision for his music publisher and its role in the music industry at large.

A Platform for Passion

When speaking about why he loves being a part of Prez Record, Karabo Ndobela said that it gave him a strong sense of pride when he had a helping hand in providing artists with experience and exposure. Through meticulous A&R (artist and repertoire), artist development, and strategic marketing, Prez Record Music aims to redefine the landscape of independent music publishers.

Upcoming Releases

When asked about their upcoming releases, Karabo had this to say, “We are excited to have the release of our upcoming artist DiiGhabadiya with his debut EP and the releases of Dj Simoja and Chef Liey Chef singles in the course of the year and next will be Vee Sithole singer-songwriter, who is about to be the biggest star in the country.” Learn more about Prez Record Music and their upcoming music releases by checking out their website: https://prezrecord.com/

 
Social Media Handles:

• Twitter: @prezmusicgroup
• Instagram: @prezmusicgroup
• TikTok: @prezmusicgroup

AGM Announcements

MPASA Director Updates 2024

We’re pleased to announce that Geoffrey Glenn Trefusis-Paynter, Rowlin Naicker, and Ryan Hill, who were the directors up for rotation in 2023, have been re-elected to serve as MPASA board members, continuing their dedication to advancing the music publishing industry. We also extend our gratitude to Vongani Rikhotso, who resigned from the board in 2023, for his valuable service to the MPA SA.

Executive Committee Changes

Following MPASA’s 1st Board Meeting Executive director nominations, our new Chairperson is now Thando Makhunga. Ryan Hill has been elected to serve as Vice-Chair and Reuben Makondo has been re-elected to serve as MPASA treasurer. We wish Thando the best journey as the new Chair and have full confidence in the Executive Committee.

New Board Member

We’re delighted to welcome Shiran Weltsman as a newly appointed board member, who previously served as an MPASA board observer in 2023. Shiran Weltsman’s appointment as a board member further strengthens our leadership team. Her dedication to empowering women in the music business, along with her expertise in finance, will bring a fresh perspective to the board.

We have many exciting initiatives planned for the year ahead, and we encourage all MPASA members to stay tuned for updates. Keep an eye on our website and social media channels for more updates on MPASA activities throughout the year.

Act Now to Protect South Africa’s Creative Future:

Sign the Petition Against the Copyright Amendment Bill

The Copyright Amendment Bill threatens to undermine some of the rights and livelihoods of South Africa’s creative community. We must act now as the Bill will be presented to the National Assembly for adoption by the end of February 2024.

By signing the petition, you can join us in calling for the protection of all our future and existing copyrights. Your support is crucial in ensuring that the voices of creators and industry stakeholders are heard, and that the future of our creative industry is safeguarded for generations to come.
 

Don’t wait until it’s too late! Sign the petition today and make your voice heard. Together, we can protect South Africa’s creative future.

MPASA Highlight Reel

To capture and celebrate these moments, we are excited to share a highlight reel video that showcases the various activities and achievements of MPASA throughout the year. This video is a testament to the passion and commitment of our members, partners, and everyone involved in making the South African music publishing industry thrive.

Your Feedback

Have you got any ideas on how we can improve and better serve the South African music publishing industry as well as our members? Let us know! We encourage all our members to email their suggestions to us at info@mpasaonline.co.za.

Meet the Directors: Thando Makhunga

Presenting Meet the Directors, an ongoing blog series that will spotlight the directors that run the MPA. Our first spotlight is Thando Makhunga, the Vice Chair of MPASA and the Managing Director of Sheer Publishing. A prominent figure in the music publishing industry, Thando is a staunch supporter of African music and a visionary leader.

Thando agreed to an interview with us in which she provided insightful answers to 5 questions on the makings of her illustrious career, her plans for the Music Publishers’ Association of South Africa, advice for those starting out in the industry, and her thoughts on the state of the music industry itself.
 

1. From radio to managing director, what were the key moments that got you to where you are now professionally?

In my professional career I’ve been fortunate to work in environments that supported learning and development and to have had mentors that supported me in that journey. This provided me with the opportunity to pivot into roles that while different from the traditional media route allowed me to gain skills and experiences in leadership roles that complemented each other.
 

2. What motivated you to take on a leadership position within MPASA?

As the Managing Director of Sheer Publishing Africa, one the leading independent publishers on the continent, it is essential as an organization that we are immersed in the industry with both peers and competitors alike. The MPA is an organization that represents a broad spectrum of publishers, and it is our responsibility as Sheer to participate in, be active and have a voice on issues that affect the broader industry for the long-term growth of publishing in South Africa.

 

3. What are the challenges and opportunities you see in the current landscape of the music publishing industry?

Some of the key challenges publishers face include the limited understanding of publishing at a basic level on the continent, and the critical role of functional CMO’s to the publishing industry. Music users such as broadcasters, streaming platforms and the film and tv industry don’t have a full understanding of the correct processes to follow to legally utilize music for commercial projects and how to report usage to the relevant bodies. The regulatory environment also plays a critical factor in enabling a creative industry which respects intellectual property across the spectrum. With that said, the opportunities being presented by technology such as artificial intelligence, the democratization of the music industry and interesting tools like NFT’s offer new ways for rightsholders to monetize their intellectual property which is exciting. Creators now have improved access to information and technology that will allow them to independently run successful creative enterprises.
 

4. What has been the keys to success in your career?

The ability to be teachable, the expectation to continuously learn (through formal education or from experience) at each career stage and the ability to embrace change. These traits become critical in becoming a leader that can navigate an industry that has seen major global disruptions in the past decade. Additionally, I truly believe in the power of collaboration within an organization and within the industry you operate to unlock possibilities. And then ultimately, there is no success without hard work and commitment which is a mantra for any individual wanting to achieve their goals.
 

5. What would you say is your proudest achievement working in the music publishing industry?

I am passionate about empowering creatives and believe knowledge sharing and industry development with creative industry stakeholders will result in a creator community that is skilled and knowledgeable for the benefit of future generations. As such in my first year at Sheer we embarked on an initiative to educate creators on film scoring which has resulted in a quarterly masterclass series involving some of South Africa’s top composers, film directors and producers. This year we were able to extend this into a partnership with the National Film and Video Foundation on a masterclass for the film industry on music licensing and music supervision at the annual Durban Film Mart.

 
Join us on social media and let us know which MPASA director you’d like to learn more about in our next Behind the MPASA Board!

MPASA Member Feature Oct 2023!

Stella June Pty LTD

A Versatile Hub for Independent Artists

Founded in 2012 by the dynamic duo of Shiran Weltsman and Jamie-Lee Sexton, Stella June Pty Ltd is an Independent Record label, Publishing and Media house that prides itself as on being a full-service hub that offers a diverse range of services to empower independent artists. From artist management and bookings to tour logistics, sponsorship relations, radio and music video plugging, public relations, media, and brand management – Stella June Pty Ltd is truly a one-stop-shop for artists striving to navigate the complex music industry terrain.

Meet the Co-Founder: Shiran Weltsman

At the heart of Stella June Pty Ltd is Shiran Weltsman, a remarkable entrepreneur who brings over 18 years of corporate experience to the music industry. She served as the Managing Director of various companies in the Medical, Pharmaceutical & Finance industries, under the Weltsman Group umbrella. Today, she uses her 13 years of experience in the music industry to shape her vision for Stella June Pty Ltd.

Shiran Weltsman’s tenacity and passion extends beyond her business ventures. She strongly believes in the power of women in both business and music. As the Vice-Chair of Membership for Women in Music South Africa, she champions the organization dedicated to empowering women in the South African music industry.
 

A Part of the MPASA Team

Shiran also serves as an observer on the board of the Music Publishers’ Association South Africa, where she contributes towards the optimising and growing music publishers and the music publishing industry itself, as a part of MPASA’s CMO committee.

Jamie-Lee Sexton: A Stellar Artist

The primary shining star on Stella June Pty Ltd.’s roster is none other than Jamie-Lee Sexton, whose musical journey began in 2010 when she entered the South African Idols competition and reached the coveted Top 8. Since then, Jamie-Lee has ascended to become a household brand, gracing the airwaves with over six hits, including two chart-topping singles.

In recognition of her exceptional talent, Jamie-Lee has garnered accolades within the industry. In 2023, she received three nominations at the Basadi in Music Awards and two nominations for music video awards in South Africa, totalling an impressive seven nominations.

As we continue to celebrate the diverse and dynamic individuals and entities within the music ecosystem, Stella June Pty Ltd serves as a great example to which most can be inspired by. We look forward to witnessing their continued success and the impact they make in the South African music scene.