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The Chairperson, Mr Dodo Monamodi official media address at the SABC regarding the SABC/AIRCO distribution deal on Thursday 02, February 2012 at 10:00.
Honourable Minister of Arts and Culture, Mr Paul Mashatile
Group Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the SABC, Ms Lulama Makhobo
Esteemed members of the various media houses
Distinguished board members of the Association of Independent Record Companies of South Africa
Fellow independent record companies owners and artists
Ladies and Gentlemen
Today is a historic moment for all the independent record company owners, our agreement between the Association of the Independent Record Companies of South Africa (AIRCO) and the South African Broadcasting Corporation (SABC) is a another milestone for the association, its members and public at large. I hereby announce that on 13th December 2011, our association and the SABC signed a long awaited distribution agreement whose primary purpose is to enable AIRCO to avail its members and non-members music products for broadcast on SABC platforms (tv and digital) in return, the SABC will pay to AIRCO an appropriate amount for the benefit of our members and non members and distribution to those whose products are used by the SABC at any given time in all their platforms. The deal provides us with an opportunity to be an official collection and distribution agent for all Southern African Independent recording labels’ sound recordings royalties as well as to play a crucial role in the music business to arm the Indies with music business knowledge.
It is a milestone as it gives back to the proudly South African Independent companies the right to have full and direct access to their economic benefit based on the returns of their investments which will empower them to grow their businesses more. This growth will enable them to be sustainable and continue contributing to the economic development of our beautiful country. Our members will continue investing in our local talent; create job opportunities for our citizens while we all contribute in this reconstruction of our country.
Since AIRCO’s inception in 2006, we have engaged the various music industry players, particularly broadcasters on the promotion of local content as well as licensing of sound recordings, our views were ignored, isolated and undermined by others. As a pure and proudly South African association of record companies which exist solely to represent the economic, traditional and cultural diversity interests of independent record labels, today’s achievement marks the impact of Airco’s leadership and members’ endless efforts in the long overdue transformation of the South African Music Industry. This relationship with our broadcaster marks the new dawn of bettering the lives of our people.
Music industry has an economic and political impact in our people’s lives dating as far back as 1900s, for example, during the African National Congress’s Centenary celebration in Free State on 08 January 2012, our President, Honourable Jacob Zuma reminded us that the creative industries practitioners played a vital role in liberating us from colonialism, apartheid system and conglomerate monopoly. He cited and acknowledged the role of music icons such as Miriam Makeba, Hugh Masekela, Jonas Gwangwa, Julian Bahula, Caiphus Semenya, Letta Mbulu, Dorothy Masuka, Harry Belafonte as well as the Amandla Cultural Ensemble, the MK cultural group and others who kept the spirit of the struggle alive around the world. It is their sound recordings that highly inspired the new generation of independent record companies and musicians.
In conclusion, after liberation in 1994, the new generation of the music industry role players, concerted efforts to build an alternative music industry controlled by born and bred African sons and daughters. Today, we celebrate independent record companies such as Clive Calder Productions, Hit City, Soul Brothers Records, Bula, Coolspot, TS Records, Ghetto Ruff, 999 Music, Kalawa, Dojam, Black Eagle Records, H.U.G.E Entertainment, Gazaza Records, Zuzumuzi Music, One Wish Entertainment, JSL, Sizwe Zako Records, and many more that produced music icons that we celebrate today. Recently, the country was buzzing with the music of Professor and Zahara who are products of independent record companies. We can proudly confirm to our government that our next Enoch Sontonga will be discovered by an independent record company, to ensure that his music remains a heritage asset of our country.
We would also like to thank the Department of Arts and Culture in believing in the mandate and existence of AIRCO, continued financial, support and advice in growing the industry for the livelihood of Indies and our artists. Thank you to the members of the SABC, media, our communities, retailers and business. Not forgetting the Ministry of Police, DTI and other departments who contribute to the transformation and support of our members. A very big thank you to our Board and Executive team who display great leadership spirit
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