portfolio: Acting Chairman* / International Affairs

Harvey was born and reared in the UK, arriving in South Africa in 1972. He played tenor sax with The Dynamics in the early 80’s, relocating with the band to the UK from 1984 – 1986, after which he returned to South Africa and joined EMI in 1987. At EMI he took the position of Trade Marketing Manager handling Indies business from 1989 – 1993. He was promoted to MD of CCP Records and the EMI Board in 1993, where he served until 1998. He also served on the board of ASAMI (now RISA) during this period. In 1998 he left EMI and started Bula Music with Clive Hardwick and Peter Tladi, which is a leading gospel and traditional music label and one of South Africa’s largest independent record companies. Harvey was instrumental in the formation of AIRCO, was elected to the board in 2006, and currently represents South Africa and AIRCO on the board of WIN internationally.

*Note: The current AIRCO Executive Committee Board was elected during the first AGM on 19 September 2006. Elected Chairman Irfaan Gillan served with distinction until his resignation to pursue non-music industry related business interests in June 2006. The decision was taken not to elect a new Chairman until the AGM in September 2007, with Deputy chairman Harvey Roberts taking the role of Acting Chairman in the interim.

name: Ken Haycock
portfolio: Broadcast & Needletime

While studying at Wits University in the early 70s, Ken played bass for a number of bands and achieved 4 Top 20 Hits. After completing a B.Com Honours at Wits and UNISA, Ken joined the music industry in 1975 as African Market product manger for EMI’s racking operation MFP. In 1976 he began working with Clive Calder heading up marketing at his label CCP Records. In 1979 Calder sold CCP to EMI, and by 1982 Ken had risen to Managing Director. During 1983 – 1988 he headed CCP and was a director for EMI, responsible for developing a roster of platinum-selling artists such as Brenda Fassie, The Big Dudes, Condry Ziqubu, Cheek To Cheek, The Winners and CJB. In 1988 Ken left EMI to start his own label Cool Spot, distributed by EMI, and achieved platinum sales with his debut 2 releases on the label. Some 20 years later and Cool Spot has become one of the longest standing independent record companies with its own premises, recording studios, publishing company and numerous gold and platinum selling artists. In 2006, Ken was elected to the AIRCO board.

name: Antos Stella
portfolio: Membership & Recruitment

Antos Stella is one of the few women to have reached the topmost levels of the South African music industry. Starting in the legal department of Gallo Music ("assisting with artist's contracts") in 1984, Antos rose through the ranks, becoming first Public Relations Manager and then Managing Director of South Africa’s longest standing record company. In 2005 Antos started her own music company AS Entertainment, which manages acts like the Mahotella Queens, and releases African and World music titles. Antos is the South African representative for Reed Midem, who host Midem, the world’s largest music industry trade show in Cannes every year, and has been instrumental in the growth of South African presence at Midem over the past years. Antos also co-ordinates a number of large scale music events such as the annual Africa Day Concert in Johannesburg. She currently heads the AIRCO Membership and Recruitment Committee

name: Eugene Mthethwa
portfolio: Anti-Piracy

Eugene is a celebrated musician and producer who started his career working with legendary producer Chicco Twala, then achieved distinction with mapantsula group Trompies, who have delivered hits like Sigiya Ngengoma, Magasma and Jakarumba over the past decade. One of South Africa's strongest and most outspoken activists for musician's rights of recent years, Eugene has translated his passion for music and the struggle of South African musicians from the stage into the Music Industry, sitting on the board of Kasi Records, chairing AIRCO’s anti-piracy committee, sitting as Member of the SABC Music Industry Advisory Committee, on the board of Moshito, and as UNESCO-backed SACCD (South African Coalition for Cultural Diversity) Executive Committee Member.

name: Alex Agulnik
portfolio: Business & Legal

Alex was born in Israel, schooled in Cape Town and studied Law and commerce at Rhodes Univeristy, Wits University, and Wits Business School. After travelling extensively, Alex entered the Property market, joining Richland Properties, a market leader in GASH housing, and becoming a partner at 29. The company developed hotels under the name The Premier Hotel Group, and in 2000 sold the Hotel Group to ACCOR (the largest hotel group in the world). In 2001 Alex entered the music industry as a partner in The Digital Cupboard, one of South Africa’s first online music destinations. In 2002 Alex started his own record label African Cream Music , releasing South African and African music compilations and artist albums. He is also founding partner in SonicSpaza an Online B2B Licensing House for South African music. Alex is the Business Affairs Director at AIRCO, handling all business and legal affairs.

name: Dodo Monamodi
portfolio: Skills Development

Dodo began his career in the music business as a professional musician in 1988. From 1992 to 1995 he completed a music diploma at Funda Arts College, Soweto. He also studied sound engineering and worked as engineer and producer at Inhouse Sound College, and at Cyberforce studios, producing veterans like Blondie Makhene, Dan Nkosi and Nana coyote. In 1998 he worked part-time for Universal Brotherhood Consortium as music contract consultant, and was recruited by Cool Spot Productions as sound engineer, producer, songrwiter and programmer, working with the likes of Brenda Fassie, Yvonne Chaka Chaka and Oleseng. In 2002 he launched his own company Dojam Productions, and in 2003 launched the publishing division, Dodo's Music. In 2006, he was elected to the AIRCO Exco, and to the Midem Committee. He is currently working with North West procince to develop local talent, organise events and mentor emerging labels.

name: Tebogo Sithathu
portfolio: Skills Development / Anti-Piracy

Tebogo was a member of the hit 90s R&B/Kwaito boy-band Twins who generated a number of hits and significant tv exposure. He has subsequently started his own record label, One Twin Records, has recently released a solo album, and is involved in promoting music events around South Africa. Always an activist for musician’s and composers rights, Tebogo has spoken at several international conferences such as the Youth conference in Tripoli, Libya in 2005. He is currently Vice-Chairman of The South African Composer’s Association (SACA) and on the Exco of AIRCO, where he is active in Skills Development, Recruitment and Anti-Piracy initiatives.

name: Clive Hardwick
portfolio: Digital Sub-committee Chairman

Born and bred in Johannesburg, Clive started in the music and entertainment industries in 1983 after studying commerce at Wits University. In 1985, together with Ian and Linda Bernhardt he launched the iconic Shell Road To Fame Talent Search competition. In 1987 he established the music production company Zako Music (with Peter Tladi and Sizwe Zako), responsible for acts like Rebecca Mahlope and Pure Magic. In 1994, Clive was appointed as Communications Consultant for the Independent Electoral Commission, devising communications strategy for the first democratic elections. In 1995 he was appointed to the board of the Trillion Group of Companies, where he remains director and shareholder in The Picture House, The Digital Workshop and Datapost. In the late 90s together with Harvey Roberts and Peter Tladi he established large indie record label Bula Music. He has also promoted music events for The Prince's Trust and the Celebrate South Africa concerts in London in 2001. He currently sits on the board of Merlin representing South Africa and AIRCO as one of 5 "Rest Of The World" representatives.