Local musicians to get recording studio

Wednesday, April 15, 2009

Pretoria - Local musicians in South Africa will soon have the opportunity to have their songs recorded at a new recording studio.

Arts and Culture Minister, Pallo Jordan is expected on Friday to announce a plan to buy Downtown Studios in Johannesburg and turn it into a creative powerhouse for developing uniquely South African music.

"The establishment of a home for artists to not only create, but own their music will provide the much needed boost to the development and growth of the music sector as an important part to create jobs and fight poverty and unemployment," said Minister Jordan.

The initiative is part of government's creative industries strategy to help artists, especially musicians, not only to consider their discipline as a business enterprise, but to create opportunities for employment and economic self-reliance.

South African music is loved by the people of the world as has been shown by the international recognition and success of musicians like Miriam Makeba, Hugh Masekela, Abdullah Ibrahim, Ladysmith Black Mambazo and the Soweto Gospel Choir to name just a few.