The Southern African Music Rights Organisation (SAMRO) is delighted to take part in the third Midem African Forum coming to Cape Town this Friday, says SAMRO CEO, Mark Rosin.

“It’s the first time that the forum will be held in Cape Town,” he says.

The forum, now in its third edition, will hold a full day of talks, masterclasses and workshops at Bridges for Music Academy in Lange, Cape Town.

“Our general manager, responsible for rights holder services, Karabo Senna, will be part of a panel discussion with some international speakers on the day,” says Rosin.

Senna will address the state of the South African music industry, unpacking its challenges and opportunities in a discussion themed: The state of the South African music industries, their evolution in the past years and how the industry copes with the main challenges it faces today, how to build sustainable international careers for African artists.

Other topics to be tackled by local speakers as well as speakers from Kenya and the United Kingdom among others include the state of the global music industry, leveraging streaming to reach global audiences, and international development and the publisher-songwriter collaboration.

The event runs from 10am to 9pm on Friday, February 28.

“This is an invite-only event, however those to whom this information is beneficial can register via email to receive their personal invitation,” says Rosin.

The forum is attended by more than 400 industry professionals each year. These include recording labels, streaming platforms, publishers, artists, politicians, media and official institutions.

Midem, the international music festival held in France every year, aims to build the music business of tomorrow by boosting the industry’s know-how and pushing its boundaries while leveraging creativity and talent on a global scale.

“At its core Midem has always concerned itself with collaboration as a mechanism for problem-solving and breakthrough within the industry. This makes forums such as these the opportune time for industry players to network with international counterparts while exploring possible collaboration avenues. This could help in their mission to create bridges between the continent and rest of the world,” says Rosin.

To register email info@musicexchange.co.za