Nomsa Mazwai, affectionately known as Nomisupasta by her fans, is at the forefront of a movement that aims to transform the South African music industry. According to the radical artivist, the local music industry has not had an organised and national voice to represent the rights of composers and songwriters since 2017.
Mazwai is the chairperson of Music Creators South Africa (MSCSA), a predominantly female-led Association created to represent the interests of composers and songwriters. The Association develops tools that help music creatives achieve sustainable careers. Furthermore, they provide advice and information about composers’ rights within the South African legal framework. With icons, Yvonne Chaka Chaka and Tshepo Nzimande as well as the former CEO of SAMRO, Nothando Migogo, on its board of directors, its mission is in the right hands.
MCSA encourages a culture of collaboration and seeks to ensure that careers in the creative industries are vibrant and foster sustainable livelihoods. That is why the Association encourages all South African music creators and composers to register for official membership.
Only a month after it began taking membership registrations, MCSA already has over 200 members from all the provinces of South Africa. Some if its recognisable members are globally renowned executive creative, Motlokoe Phathudu-Mphahlele of Phatmonk Music Publishing, award-winning music producer, Mojalefa Mjakes Thebe of Nu Sound Factor and well as veteran musician, Concord Nkabinde.
Music professionals with skills to empower MCSA are invited not only to register for membership, but to also make themselves available for nomination to fill additional seats on its board. To obtain voting rights and stand a chance of joining the board, musicians will have to be an official member of MCSA.
To register, please visit https://www.musiccreators.co.za/register
