SHAKESPEARE said ‘if music be the food of love, play on’ – and what better place to profile the talent of South Africa’s rising musical stars than at a conference exploring the tangible and intangible value of the creative economy?
This was the rationale of the South African Cultural Observatory (SACO) – a national public research entity of the Department of Arts & Culture (DAC), hosted by Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University – which hosts its national conference on the Creative Economy and Development in Johannesburg this week.
It will treat international, African and local delegates to a guest performance by the 2011 Standard Bank Young Artist Award winner, pianist and composer, Bokani Dyer, his trio and guests at an evening function on May 24 at the Market Theatre.
Dyer, a graduate of the South African College of Music at the University of Cape Town has graced local and international jazz festival stages and has been lauded as the ‘leader of the new wave of contemporary jazz’ in South Africa. The Bokani Dyer Trio includes drummer, Sphelelo Mazibuko, and bassist, Romy Brauteseth. The performance will include a guest appearance by Zoe Modiga.
“I look forward to being a part of the SACO conference not just because of my performance but I am also eager to hear all the insights on the creative industry. South Africa has a lot of creative wealth which needs to be unlocked and this conference is a step in the right direction,” Dyer said.
The conference – which takes place next week on the May 24 and 25 at the Turbine Hall– is set to bring researchers, academics and creative practitioners together to explore the growing impact of the creative economy on development in the country, and across the globe.
A number of high-level national and international speakers will provide key insights into local and international perspectives on the creative and cultural industries (CCIs) and their role in socio-economic development.
“We are excited by both our formal programme and the entertainment elements, which celebrate the diversity of especially young, creative talent in South Africa,” said SACO marketing and communications manager, Amy Shelver.
“We have tried to include a range of up-and-coming and rising stars across the music, photographic, theatre and performance industries on our side programme with the intention of showcasing South African talent to the delegates.”
The conference organisers are also in a working collaboration with the Market Theatre Foundation and the Johannesburg Youth Orchestra will perform at the conference.
Established by DAC in 2014, the SACO is a socio-economic think tank focused specifically on analysing the arts, culture and heritage sectors and the creative and cultural industries. It is hosted by Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University, in partnership with Rhodes University and the University of Fort Hare, but operates nationally to develop a comprehensive cultural information system.
For more conference information and the full programme, visit the SACO 2017 National Conference website: https://www.southafricanculturalobservatory.org.za/2017-saco-conference/
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