The effects of Xenophobia in South African local businesses

Xenophobia is more than just violent attacks on people of different nationalities. It affects a nation socially, politically and economically. With Eskoms crisis affecting South Africa’s economy, clearly xenophobia has affected our economy, especially in the tourism industry. At least seven people have been killed in the violence of xenophobic attacks in SA. Over thousands of immigrants were highly forced to return back to their homes, says Trade and Industry Deputy Minister Mzwandile Masina “xenophobic attacks has cost the country billion of rands in exporting foreign revenues”.

Xenophobic attacks have affected the operational services of various southern African brand names operating across southern Africa such as Old Mutual, Shoprite, Standard Bank, MTNtelecommunications group and Nedbank. During the crisis of xenophobic violence, about 200 people in Mozambique briefly blocked the main boarder and threw rocks at South African vehicles as a form of fighting back. This issue has affected most sectors in South African local businesses, Unions and transport sectors.

Immigrants protest against xenophobic violence:
 http://bit.ly/1EX1rjJ

Transport services in South Africa have contributed to the country’s economy by developing and improving service delivery in the country. Oil is produced and supplied by African countries, if xenophobic violence continues; it will affect the country with transport service delivery and tourism sectors in South Africa. Will xenophobia create war within African countries? One of the influential Zimbabwe National Students Union president Gilbert Mutubuki gathered all youth to attack local South African business. Violence is not the language of unity nor peace but hate.

If the violence does not end, it will be an end of African unity, sponsors and investors in South Africa will lose their steak meaning businesses will lose profit which in results affects the country’s economy. South African government and organisations have taken action against xenophobic violence through awareness campaigns on social media platforms such as #NoToXenophobia. Let us not fight as African brothers and sisters, let us restore the dignity of Ubuntu.

By: Nelwamondo Aifheli, 06-May-2015

What is public relation and branding? Ever heard of the word personal branding?

I believe you when you hear the word public relations you eventually think of promoting and being a spokesperson, lets recap public relation is the practice of managing the spread of information between an individual or an organization and the public therefore branding in the other side simply means the process of creating a unique name and image for a product in the consumer’s mind through advertising in major communication platforms(facebook,twitter, linkedin, blog and online website) with a consistent theme. Question is how these two concepts link most especially in the entertainment industry or music industry in general. Here is a piece of advice, it might not sink in now but believe me when I say it is a golden rule for oneself. Personal branding helps you get promoted and enhance your happiness in your craft everyday. You might be wondering what the difference between the two is, well it is hard to differentiate the two because they are both used to accomplish a certain goal. Communication is more complex than ever, it is essential to adapt to the current trends since we live in a millennium society.

be your own brand

Now let’s talk about personal branding, what is personal branding? Personal branding is the practice in which people market themselves and their career or craft as a brand. This includes various traits which make you as an individual to get recognized and your credibility. Never forget the fact that first impression last. Let’s get to basics, as a musician, Dj or producer despite whatever career path or craft you chose in order to stand out one need to bind by the following seven attributes:
7 things to do to build your own personal brand

1.Start thinking of yourself as a brand
2.Audit your online presence
3.Secure a personal website
4.Find a way to produce value
5.Be purposefully in what you share
6.Associate with other brands
7.Reinvent

NB: LET’S SUPPORT OUR LOCAL MUSIC, AN INTELLIGENT MIND PREFERES QUALINTY OVER QUANTITY THAT’S BUYING AN ORIGAN THAN FAKE.


　
　

　

　

　

One thing that is killing our music industry "PIRACY’

Do you support piracy? Yes, no, maybe? When last did you buy and original copy in a music store? We live in a millennium society where technology has made things much simpler and faster than before. We have iPod’s, smartphones, laptops and tablets which we use to store and listen to our music. What is piracy and why am I so against it? Piracy means the unauthorized duplication of copyrighted content that is then sold at substantially lower prices in the grey market. The most effective piracy method is cable piracy; copying music from someone else’s laptop via USB, does this ring a bell? I hope you are not a victim of this method. Piracy has become more ramped. Piracy has destroyed our music industry over the past years. Imagine of hard working musicians and producers who spend more hours in their studios making music, money they spent on equipment’s and effort of making music, don’t they deserve support? I perceive the word Piracy as a disease in the music industry which has killed many musician and producers businesses and craft in general.

Technology has provided online services where one can buy music on websites such as Zune Music, iTunes, Amazon music, Taxsource, SoundCloud and BeatPort therefore people still use other free online websites which promotes piracy . Buying music whether in a music store or online it enables the owner to make a living than killing his business and craft. Let us support our local music. There are people who make a living out of music, how are we supposed to encourage or support them if we still do piracy? I edge everyone who is reading this blog to stop and kill this disease called Piracy.

Firstly, what the things that leads one to piracy? being unethical, instant gratification and google providing unauthorized websites. How can we stop piracy? Many campaigns, companies and businesses have been fighting this battle but hey what can we say, we can’t control nor tell everyone what to do especially when almost everyone has access to the internet. We can stop piracy by looking for quality over quantity, buying music at music stores and online websites, supporting our music industry through word of mouth and social media with credible websites .let’s STOP PIRACY

　

The importance of Public Relations in the music industry

Music, has always been one of the most powerful elements, which has power to bring people together. All musicians, producers and DJ’s need a great publicity team building behind them in order to be recognized. Most producers, musicians and dj’s do not get known by the public or get famous. It is tough in the music industry because there’s too much competition. You may be asking yourself how the likes of dj Black Coffee, Shimza , Black Motion , get more publicity and more gigs/events it’s because they have public relations section which helps promote their image to the public. Without Public Relations we clearly wouldn’t have known about most famous musicians, producer and top DJ’s. Why do famous musicians bring together millions of fans in their events while others spend many years trying to get discovered? Public Relations play a huge role than people realize. Look at the most famous musicians and producers and the support they receive from their fans or followers. One thing I like about PR is that it can help and change and build an image of any new and up-coming musicians, producers and DJ’s.

Whether you're a musician promoting your own project, a label doing in-house promotion of their releases or a budding PR pro, follow these five steps to put together a winning promotional push.

• Know Your Aim

• Update Your Press Database

• Write The Press Release

• Choose Your Time

• Do The Mailing

The Urban Beat on Metro FM gives local producers a platform to showcase their talent

Wasup housecats  The Urban Beat on Metro FMwhich is broadcasted during Friday and Saturday from 10pm-1am every week hosted by DJ Christos, Vinny Da Vinci and lady Zeal now has 6815 followers because of the local deep house tracks that blaze dance floors at the night clubs. The Urban Beat simply plays deep house music from various local and international deep house producers. Local house music has blown Mzansi’s nightclubs with storm. The Urban Beat gives local producers a platform to showcase their talent and play their produced tracks through guest mix (Diroba mix).

It’s exiting to see that our local producer’s music is being played on our local radio stations and this helps them by giving them a platform of recognition about who they are and what kind of deep house they produce. South African now has many registered producers and dj who are working hard behind the scene by making people dance at nightclubs. Producers like; Chymamusique, Zulu Mafia, Da Capo, Dj Whisky, Charlie Mind Games and Ta-ice have produced massive hits that are still hitting the dance floors in nightclubs. Most local radio stations now play local deep house music which is great!

Thulane Da Producer one of the top 10 local dj in South Africa who graduated at the Soul Candi Institute of Music who was a guest dj at The Urban Beat on metro FM advised upcoming local producers to up their game and they can also visit the Soul Candi Institute of Music: www.scim.co.za/apply-online/corlett/‎ for scholarships and completions. Not everyone will be dj or a producer of deep house music, deep house music is a spiritual thing! You have to live and love music! Deeper we go, no sleep no sweat>>>>d-__-p<<<<<<<