Harare, Zimbabwe | Established and upcoming artists are set to learn the business and networking ropes during the well-structured two-day Stanbic Bank Jacaranda Business Conference, which precedes the Stanbic Bank Jacaranda Music Festival from the second to the third of October.
The Stanbic Bank Jacaranda Business Conference will feature top artists and established business executives, who will impart invaluable insights on how artists can maximize their talents to become successful businesspeople.
Stanbic Bank Jacaranda Music Festival spokesperson, Tariro Chaniwa, said the conference was established to create a platform for industry professionals, musicians, and stakeholders to discuss challenges, opportunities, and innovations within the music business.
“The Stanbic Bank Jacaranda Music Business Conference started in 2018 and has grown significantly over the years. It aims to foster collaboration, share knowledge, and enhance the overall growth of the music industry in the region,” said Chaniwa.
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The Business Conference precedes the country’s premier music event, the Stanbic Bank Jacaranda Music Festival, which kicks off on the fourth and ends on the sixth of October. Leading financial services institution, Stanbic Bank, is the headline sponsor of the festival, which will be held at the Thorn Park Polo Grounds.
Chaniwa noted that the Stanbic Bank Jacaranda Business Conference is successfully achieving its intended goals, with each year seeing increased participation from industry experts and emerging artists alike. She said feedback from attendees reflects a growing awareness of music business issues, as well as an increase in networking and collaboration opportunities.
Chaniwa added that while the Conference is evolving, it will retain core elements from previous editions. “This year, we are introducing more interactive sessions and panel discussions to encourage active participation. Additionally, there will be a greater focus on digital engagement and hybrid attendance options to accommodate a wider audience,” she said.
She mentioned that the Ministry of Sports, Recreation, Arts, and Culture will deliver the keynote speech, and there will be workshops focused on cultural infrastructure, music distribution, and intellectual property (IP) issues. The conference will also include networking sessions designed to connect emerging artists with established professionals.
“The event slots filled up quickly, reflecting the strong desire among artists to learn and develop. This is driving us to make this platform bigger and better to accommodate more people,” Chaniwa said.
Stanbic Bank’s Head of Enterprise Banking, Auxilia Kambasha, said the Standard Bank Group subsidiary is pleased to expand its range of beneficiaries to include artists.
Kambasha added that the Enterprise Banking unit caters to the needs of small to medium enterprises (SMEs), who benefit from well-thought-out initiatives by Stanbic Bank.
“To that end, artists, both established and emerging, are a perfect fit for us to work with as we seek to nurture and grow them into fully fledged businesses and entrepreneurs, drawing from their talents. Stanbic Bank organizes financial fitness academies aimed at equipping SMEs with skills to handle their finances, and artists fall perfectly into this category. Hence, we are fully engaged in this business conference,” Kambasha said.
Among the speakers are local and regional artists such as Mantwa Chinoamadi (Creative Director of the Standard Bank Joy of Jazz Festival, South Africa); Connie Mazani (Artist Manager and Event Producer); Possenti N. Sikosana (Skyz Metro FM); Tanaka Kachara (Scanlen and Holderness); David Molotlhanyi (Channel O, South Africa); Prudence Mbofana; and Gus Le Breton (Mlombo Music Festival), among others.
