Economic Music Migrancy

A significant number of South African musicians perform abroad more than they do in the country. Those who do tend to seek more performance opportunities outside South Africa (SA) due to precarity in the local music marketplace, for sustaining their careers, or for economic opportunities. Conditions of public and institutional policy in SA have also encouraged expanded borders as a desired economic result. Through the lived experiences of music practitioners, this panel unpacks the economic, cultural heritage, policy, and exilic implications of this music migrancy. It also interrogates what sustaining a performance career in SA currently means.

Moderator:  Dr Akhona Ndzuta  — Head of Department & Lecturer, Department of Cultural Policy & Management, Wits School of Arts, South Africa

Sho Madjozi —Musician & Poet, South Africa (V)

David Lephoto – Founder & Producer, World Sound Concert

Nomfundo Xaluva — Musician & Senior Lecturer, Jazz Studies, University of Cape Town, South Africa

Kwelagobe Sekele — Senior Curator, Gallo Music Africa, South Africa