Since 2004 the Mosh*to Music Conference and Exhibition has established itself as Africa’s premiere music industry event. Now entering its eighth year, Mosh*to – as it is known – is focused even more keenly on its objective of broadening the business intelligence of music industry professionals in South African and the continent, strengthening business networks for participants and informing delega
tes, traders and the public about the multifaceted and dynamic nature of the global music industry. Historically, Mosh*to has its roots in the South African Music Industry Co-operation Initiative (SAMICI) which was formed 2003 as a part of a response to several pressing issues affecting the South Africa industry as a whole. For the first time, a broad base of industry stakeholders joined forces to focus on several key areas of the industry – in particular, music piracy, the need to develop music markets for South African music (especially beyond the country's borders) and the urgent need to create a social benefit and welfare programme for musicians. Formed as a broadly representative section 21 company in 2004, Mosh*to Music Conference and Exhibition has focused on playing a significant role in fulfilling the objectives pinpointed by the South African government’s Department of Arts and Culture (DAC). As far back as 1995, the DAC released its White Paper on Arts, Culture and Heritage. Two critical developments that arose from the White Paper were the 1998 Cultural Industries Growth Strategy (CIGS), and the 2000 Music Industry Task Team (MITT). The CIGS research identified key actions that needed to be undertaken to realise the potential of the music industry to contribute to economic growth. The MITT made 37 recommendations that were felt to be critical to overcome current impasses in the industry. Mosh*to Music Conference and Exhibition is an important instrument in the implementation of these policy documents. It works in partnership with the DAC working as well as various music industry organisations and other partners to maximise the role of the industry in economic development, job creation, poverty alleviation and socio-cultural development within South Africa. Mosh*to takes place annually in South Africa’s springtime in Johannesburg.
