Appendix 6 - International Music Council

II. The links between musical diversity and economic development and the fight
against poverty
Substantial information can be given for South Africa, under this heading, despite the
information received that there are “No specific government programs for poverty
reduction in the music sector.” Zwelakhe Mbiba of the national Department of Arts and
Culture wrote this in a recent email to the author of this report, but did go on to note that
“However, DAC, other provincial departments, and local municipalities support live
performances as they are a crucial part of economic activities in the music sector. Live
performances do not only benefit the performers and the organisers but other people as
well, e.g. vendors, security companies, hotels, etc. Live performances are good for Local
Economic Development strategies and can be linked to cultural tourism.”
II.1 The Music Industry Task Team (MITT) first met in early 2000, having been
appointed by Dr Ben Ngubane, the then Minister of the Department of Arts, Culture,
Science and Technology (known by the acronym DACST), in response to an expression
of problems within the music industry by musicians and their representative
organisations.
The MITT comprised people holding the following positions or representing the
following:
Advisor to the Minister (Chair), Ghana National Theatre, Norwegian Traditional Music
and Dance Association, ASAMI (Association of South African Music Industry now
called RISA, the Recording Industry of South Africa), Professional Musician and
composer, Owner of a live music venue, MUSA (Musicians Union of South Africa),
SAMRO (South African Music Rights Organisation), Registrar of Patents and Copyright,
DTI (Department of Trade and Industry), National Arts Council, Sony Music, Weber,
Wentzel & Bowens (legal firm), DACST (Department of Arts, Culture, Science and
Technology) and NORRM, the National Organisation of Recording Rights in Music.
The terms of reference of the MITT were as follows:
� To recommend to the Minister strategies to address the problems facing the South
African music industry:
• Recommendations are based on the oral and written submissions both
national and provincial – and the experiences of MITT members.
• Recommendations can be made regarding the interventions of all roleplayers
- government, industry, unions, publishers, etc.
� To indicate priorities regarding the recommendations.
� Areas of investigation included the following:
• The adequacy of the legislative framework governing the industry;
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