The Western Cape Music Industry Commission, better known as Cape Mic, is a section 21, non-profit organisation that connects, conducts and configures elements of the Western Cape music industry. 

Funded by the Department of Economic Affairs and Tourism and other key industry partners, Cape Mic is uniquely placed to facilitate and support the region’s musical and economic growth, expansion and evolution through pro-active networking and up-to-the-minute research. Aims of the organisation include providing tailored advice about the Western Cape music industry, acting as mediators where necessary and acting as liaison between local and international stakeholders.

Cape Mic’s Zandi Hoshe explains that the commission aims to connect various elements of the music industry that would normally be difficult to achieve. She explains, “We run mentorship programmes, workshops and road shows and are in the process of setting up a musicianship academy. We’re not trying to duplicate something that already exists in the industry, but are rather striving to give musicians a leg up.”

The courses are based on the ‘Paris Model,’ which builds the brand’s recognition to the level enjoyed by other musical regions such as London, Memphis, Montreal, New Orleans, Paris and New York. Zandi continues, “Students may gain knowledge from educational facilities, but don’t know how to apply it in the real world. We teach people all the elements of the music industry and make it easy for musicians to enter the industry.”

The Music Academy will be a  multi-platform initiative and lectures will take place through the Cape Music Institute, the Cape Mic offices and online via Skype. Entry to the Academy will be based on merit and Cape Mic will be recruiting through their membership base, community newspapers and through a township drive with their road shows. Those who don’t want to wait for The Music Academy to open can take part in the readily available mentorship programmes and outreach programmes that take place with the assistance of industry. This is to achieve what the organisation have dubbed a “music industry revolution.” In fact there is even an initiative called Project rEvolution.

Project Evolution is one of the key approaches through which Cape Mic intends to fulfil its mandate of facilitating industry coordination.

The project uses  a systemic approach that has never been used in the music industry.

The title of the Project rEvolution stems from the definition of both:

•Revolution - (from the Latin revolution, “a turnaround”) a radical change in society and the social structure

•Evolution - any process of formation growth or development.

Zandi says that the organisation invites industry experts to conduct many of their workshops to make sure that the information disseminated is accurate and most updated.

One of the recent speakers at a Business of Music lecture in Langa was African Dope Records’ founder Roach. 

These speakers give learners essential information about making it in the cut-throat music industry, as well as about brand building.

The vision of Cape Mic is to see a South African music industry that is coordinated enough to be self-supporting and nurturing of its contributors.

A totally transformed industry that not only solves its own problems but is at the forefront of new business and development models for the global music industry.

They would like to see the South African music industry boasting a diverse range of talents, skills and attributes which are at the forefront of the global music industry.

Cape Mic will be holding a film workshop on 23 March 2010 in the Kayamandi Tourism Corridor, Stellenbosch.      
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