MBABANE — The third edition of the Eswatini Arts Summit opened with a strong call for professionalism, as South African Music Industry Council (SAMIC) President, Vusi Leeuw, took to the podium to address local creatives.
Speaking at the Institute of Development and Management (IDM) yesterday during the first day of the summit, the veteran music business expert anchored his address on the necessity of legal frameworks and structural support for artists seeking to penetrate the global market. Leeuw, whose career includes tenures at Warner Music Group, Spice VAS Africa and Rage, stressed that the era of handshake deals must come to an end if the local industry is to thrive. He implored artists to ensure every professional engagement is governed by a signed contract.
“The importance of the contract will help serve as evidence behind recordings made for everyone who collaborated on the project. For an industry to grow, the contracts must be there. In the youth market, people come into the market with an aim of becoming famous and they end up overlooking the need for contracts,” he said. He highlighted that a contract is not merely a formality, but a vital tool for protection and professional longevity. Expanding on the theme of industry growth and innovation, the SAMIC president encouraged Eswatini’s talent to seek professional management. He argued that for an artist to focus on their craft, they require a dedicated team to handle the administrative and strategic complexities of the music business.
He also commended Hapkoo, the winner of MTN Bushfire Firefly 2025 who opened the stage with a performance, stating she is a talented performer who shows dedication to her craft. He emphasised the importance of rehearsing and noted that he respected her commitment to her work. He further complimented her attire, suggesting it would suit international stages. A significant portion of his address was dedicated to the technicalities of Copyright. Leeuw urged attendees to deepen their knowledge of how their work is protected and monetised, describing Copyright as the ‘currency’ of the modern music industry.
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The first speaker at the Art Summit, South African Music Industry Council Vusi Leeuw talked on monetisation of music. (R) Artists and creatives during the art summit. (Pics: Takhona Sithole)