Times Of Swaziland: CALL FOR PROMOTERS TO GET LICENCES ACCELERATED

CALL FOR PROMOTERS TO GET LICENCES ACCELERATED
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Mxolisi Dlamini on 24/10/2024 14:33:00


MBABANE – The Eswatini Events Managers and Promoters Association (EEMPA) is
calling on event promoters to get licences for hosting shows amid the looming of
unknown events.
Eswatini Events Managers and Promoters Association (EEMPA) is an association
with the sole aim of regulating all events in Eswatini.The association was
pioneered with a number of objectives, which include promoting the spirit of
mutual cooperation and respect among event managers and promoters, organising
training seminars, and securing sponsorships.
According to the EEMPA policy, event promoters ensure successful planning,
coordination, and execution of events that meet goals and expectations.
“The event promoter is responsible for negotiating contracts with service
providers, monitoring event activities for compliance with regulations, and
conducting post-event evaluations to identify areas for improvement,” reads
part of the policy.EEMPA Secretary Banele Dlamini says they are now finalising
their plans alongside the Eswatini National Council of Arts and Culture (ENCAC),
citing event promoters have been given enough time to get licences.
Applied
“For every event that they plan to have, it should be applied for on ENCAC.
They then have to tell us when they have applied so we can go and verify it.
Verifying the event will help us see if the venue that is proposed is safe and
if all the artists that are invited are legalised. “This is because there are
a lot of events that are being introduced, and we do not know where they come
from. We appeal to all event organisers to register their events because there
will now be fines for those who host events without licences.  “The event
organisers have been given enough time to look at this matter,” Dlamini said.
He further shared the police are now expecting them to say if they are ready to
work so they can assist them. “We are trying to avoid event organisers who are
not registered from  operating. The police are waiting on us to hear if we have
started working,” he said. Dlamini further shared disc jockeys (DJs) are also
expected to form an association that will represent them, as currently, there is
no one who represents them.
Appealing
“DJs are also not spared because we now have the copyright act from ESWACOS.
DJs do not have someone who represents them. We are appealing to them to form an
association that will represent them. “Forming an association will also enable
the free flow of information because we do share information for DJs, but it
only reaches a few.  “The association will also help us to address concerns
and challenges they face in the industry. All DJs who are active in the industry
have to be licensed through the copyright act,” he said. Eswatini Copyright
and Neighbouring Rights Society (ESWACOS) Executive Director, Mmeli Hlanze did
confirm that event promoters and DJs have to get licences, citing they are yet
to give a detailed report.
“Yes, it’s true, but we will give a detailed response,” he said.