By Gcina Ntsaluba
The Eastern Cape Department of Arts and Culture (DSRAC) has announced the recipients of the Music Excellence and Acceleration Programme of the Eastern Cape (MEAPEC) to develop a sustainable music industry and create a distinctive “Eastern Cape sound”.
In a ceremony at the Monument on Monday, senior department officials said the program was an investment in building a sustainable pathway for local musicians and developing the Eastern Cape’s creative economy.
“MIPEC is not just a funding business; it is investing in dreams and empowering entrepreneurs,” said Phumza Mfenyana, the DSRAC Head of the Department (HOD).
The programme aims to professionalise the local music industry by equipping recording labels with resources and knowledge to operate at high standards, promoting best practices in artist management, production and distribution.
Officials stressed that the grants, together worth R2.1 million, are designed to stimulate economic growth, create jobs, foster entrepreneurship and ensure that financial benefits from the creative sector circulate within the province.
“What we are giving you is only seed money for you to do the basic minimum,” said Mfenyana.
He said that the program’s ultimate goal is artist sustainability rather than creating millionaires. “I’m asking that you help them make a living. That’s the bare minimum that we need,” he said, acknowledging the challenge facing one record label planning to work with approximately 40 artists.
He hoped MEAPEC would help produce “a sound for the Eastern Cape”.
“Even if you hear it being played somewhere in the US or wherever, people will say that is the sound of the Eastern Cape,” Mfenyana said.
The program recognises that talent alone is insufficient for artists to flourish meaningfully in the creative economy.
Drawing from personal experience in music studios, Mfenyana said artists should transition from pure artistry to understanding their craft as a business. “If an artist is going to make it, they have to make it in the studio. And how they behave and how they handle themselves in that studio environment tends to define whether they become a successful musician or not.”
The eight record labels are Okast Pro from Buffalo City Municipality, Nine 2 Five from Chris Hani District Municipality, Zazzo Entertainment from Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality, Aqhama and Anje from OR Tambo District Municipality, War Wore Records from Joe Gqabi District Municipality, It Sounds Fresh from Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality, Umlitha Trading from Amathole District Municipality and Nomabotwe Productions from Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality.
