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MTN’S E10M BOOST FOR MUSIC INDUSTRY

31/01/2020 01:10:00 BY NONDUMISO MSIBI

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MBABANE- It’s a sweet melody to the ears of artists and music devotees, as MTN Eswatini commits to spend about E10 million in total to further support growth of the music industry.

The company has also launched two new platforms; a time based streaming App that uses minutes other than data dubbed ‘MusicTime’ and an online content portal titled ‘Y’ello Hub’. Both these platforms are intended to help artists and any local content producer to monetise their craft.

This set of good news was announced by MTN Eswatini Acting Chief Executive Officer Sibusiso Nhleko, during the company’s first MTN and Music event dubbed Sigci Setfu held on Wednesday at the Royal Swazi Spa, Ezulwini.

Spotlight

The MTN BUSHFIRE Festival got the largest piece of the pie of E4 million, followed by MTN Spotlight at E2.5 million. About E800 000 was allocated to the MTN BUSHFIRE Pulse Firefly and the same amount was allocated to the MTN ESWAMA Awards 2020 and the MTN iPraise Gospel Festival. MTN Rhymes & Laughter got the smaller piece of the pie at E250 000. Nhleko said the company acknowledges that these investments come at a time when the local economic environment was under severe strain.

“Nonetheless, we believe that, music is a huge asset to this country, its culture and socio-economic development. We are confident that the seeds that we have ploughed in music, will go a long way in motivating all of us, ‘together,’ to do better going forward, create employment opportunities, and contribute to the country’s socio-economic development,” he said.

MTN’s contribution to the growth of the music industry was commended by three ministers; Acting Minister of Information, Communication and Technology Manqoba Khumalo, Minister of Tourism and Environmental Affairs Moses Vilakati and Minister of Sports, Culture and Youth Affairs Harries Madze Bulunga.

All three ministers formed part of the panel discussions led by the MTN Acting Chief Executive Officer.
Minister of Tourism and Environmental Affairs Moses Vilakati thanked MTN for the support in the BUSHFIRE Festival.
“Look at how it has grown and brought in people from afar and beyond and how it has stimulated emaSwati to become competitive both locally and internationally,” he said. The minister said they would continue to explore ways to ensure that Eswatini talent goes to the world.

Minister of Sports, Culture and Youth Harries Madze Bulunga said they appreciated the contribution of MTN Eswatini towards the development of music and arts in the Kingdom of Eswatini.
“We believe that other corporates will come on board to assist our young people. Once we have sufficient resources, the industry will thrive,” he said.

Conducive

Bulunga said the ministry would continue looking at ways to make the environment conducive and put together all the legislation required for the music and arts industry to thrive. Acting Minister of ICT Manqoba Khumalo said the ministry would continue to invest in ICT infrastructure to enable all sectors of the economy to thrive, including music and arts. He also invited both upcoming artists and seasoned artists to make use of the Royal Science and Technology Park (RSTP) state of the art studio.

“We are also working on the Eswatini Broadcasting Bill 2019 to promote local content on both television and radio. The bill will require television and radio to play 40 per cent local content. About 60 per cent of the 40 per cent content will be expected to come from independent producers. This is meant to promote privately produced content,” he said.

The minister said they were also amending the Media Bill 2015 to make it relevant. The MTN and Music event dubbed, ‘Sigci Setfu’ was inspired by the company’s brand new campaign, ‘We’re Good Together.’
The purpose of the event is for MTN to come ‘together’ with its partners and celebrate their joint contribution to the growth of the music industry in the Kingdom of Eswatini.