WESTERN CAPE MUSICIANS ASSOCIATION

LET`S MAKE MUSIC !!!!!

SUMMARY OF THE WCMA

During 2005 the Cape Town cultural sector, in particular the jazz community was taken aback when legendary jazzman and saxophonist Robbie Jansen became seriously ill. Family, friends, fans, promoters, deejays, radio personalities, night club owners and live music venues united to contribute to Mr. Jansen’s hospital and medical bills.

It was then that Government realized that musicians and artists have no medical aid, insurance or life policies. Thanks to officials such as Dr Jean Benjamin and Mr. Rod Solomons (ex-Head of Department: Cultural Affairs & Sport) who motivated that Provincial government do something about the situation, it was decided that an association be established to protect the rights of musicians as well as educate our musicians and artists.

The Western Cape Music Association (WCMA) was established in March 2006 at a conference hosted by the Provincial Department of Cultural Affairs and Sports on the 7th & 8th. There were 350 delegates (from the Western Cape region) they came as far as Bitterfontein, Oudsthoorn etc). Twelve members were elected through an open and transparent process as an interim management committee. They were mandated to build the bridges for a structure that will look after the best interest of the industry. As a result the WCMA has signalled its arrival in the music industry in the Western Cape with a determined programme that seeks to consolidate national efforts to the benefit of the musicians and music practitioners in the Province. It has been noted with great concern that the industry is fragmented and does not have programmes geared at tackling challenges which beset it.

Through extensive consultation with role-players from the music industry, a mandate was formulated inclusive of:

1) Establish a Benevolent Fund,

2) Setting up offices in the 5 rural regions

3) Create training programs and

4) Market the Western Cape Province’s rich culture and talent.

Two years later, with the injection of Seed Funding from the Department of Economic Development and Tourism, the WCMA is operational - registered as a Section 21 company, bank account, offices with infrastructure and with a young team of energetic individuals passionate about raising the standard and awareness of musicians across the Western Cape.

VISION AND MISSION

MANDATE

The WCMA is a section 21 Company, the brainchild of musicians in the Western Cape.

VISION

  • To achieve a unified, vibrant, unified and legally established music industry recognized and acknowledged by industry practitioners as their representative voice that will empower regardless of race, age, gender, social or ethnic background.
  • To organize music practitioners to work towards the transformation of the music industry;

MISSION

  • To nurture, articulate and foster the growth and development of the music industry in the interest of all music practitioners through a formal structure that will ensure the transformation of the music industry and protect the rights of music practitioners in the Western Cape.
  • To organize music practitioners to play a meaningful role in the transformation of Western Cape and the South African music industry by protecting the rights and interests of its members and musicians in general.

WCMA KEY PERFORMANCE INDICATORS FOR DELIVERY

  1. There will be increased participation and ownership in the music industry,
  2. increased Funding and Incentive Support,
  3. Increased Public & Private sector financial support,
  4. Increased Market Intelligence and Research,
  5. Competent & empowered staff,
  6. Increased opportunities for employment in the industry,
  7. Focus on skills development.

AIMS AND OBJECTIVES

The WCMA intends to bridge the gap by bringing together the fragmented components and role players of the industry in the province and piggybacking on national efforts through a vision that delivers development, integration, empowerment and job creation in the music industry in the Western Cape. The structure seeks to attain excellence by infusing professionalism and inspiration from the industry thereby creating a brand that will be able to effectively:

  1. Position the WCMA as a leading force in the development of the music industry and a best practice model in the country and internationally;
  2. Market the music industry locally, nationally and internationally;
  3. Encourage transformation and the provision of opportunities for persons, especially from disadvantaged communities, to participate fully in the music industry, chiefly within areas in the value chain where they have not been major players ;
  4. Develop partnerships with relevant structures to enrich the organisation i.e. academic institutions, local bodies, media (Both print and electronic), Government, statutory bodies, international organisations and related bodies;
  5. Provide logistical support, guidance and advice to the music industry regarding developments in the industry.
  6. To encourage, develop and promote Western Cape music industry to the world;
  7. Promote knowledge of, interest in and respect for the heritage of Western Cape Music and the people who create it and perform it
  8. To organise and stage activities that will contribute to the maintenance and growth of the Western Cape Music Industry in RSA and internationally
  9. To encourage, develop and promote the interests of all professionals in the
  10. Western Cape music industry

SHORT TERM OUTCOMES (2008 - 2009)

  1. Obtain national recognition as the peak Western Cape body for Western Cape music industry
  2. Establish a firm financial basis through developing increased income streams and implementing more efficient spending programs;
  3. Reduce corporate/operational spending ratio to 30%;
  4. Create a strong unified strategic direction for the Organisation;
  5. Undertake ongoing and timely research that will enable a businesslike approach
  6. to all decision-making processes;
  7. Re-educate and enhance the image of the Western Cape music industry to its target audiences;
  8. Adopt a national business focus;
  9. Obtain national industry recognition as source of expert advice on the Western Cape music industry;
  10. Encourage the use of Western Cape music stars in national marketing Campaigns;
  11. Increase professional membership of the Western Cape Musicians Association
  12. Develop relationships with the UK and US Musicians Association.

MEDIUM TERM OUTCOMES (2009 - 2010)

  1. Develop a long-term strategic plan for the development of the Western Cape Musicians Association;
  2. Have a recognised presence in each region of the Western Cape;
  3. Continually grow the market share of South Africans listening to and purchasing Western Cape Music as a result of effective marketing campaigns increasing the awareness and demand for Western Cape Music;
  4. Implement the long term strategic plan for the development of the Western Cape Music Industry

MEMBERSHIP FEES

FOUR TIER STRUCTURE:

  1. BRONZE MEMBERSHIP (ENTRY LEVEL)

R50 per month / R500 once-off payment

Benefits:

  1. Consultancy
  2. Orientation Session
  3. 1 hour a week free internet access
  4. 2 x tracks, 1 x picture and 200 word biography upload onto website
  5. R 5 000 Funeral Cover
  6. Automatic entry to be nominated for an Award at the annual WCMA Music Awards Ceremony
  1. SILVER MEMBERSHIP

R150 per month / R1 500 once-off payment

Benefits:

  1. Consultancy
  2. Orientation Session
  3. 3 hours a week free internet
  4. 5 x tracks, 3 x pictures and 500 word biography upload onto website
  5. 1 x video (50MB)
  6. R 20 000 Funeral Cover
  7. Automatic entry to be nominated for an Award at the annual WCMA Music Awards Ceremony
  1. GOLD MEMBERSHIP

R350 per month / R4 000 once-off payment

Benefits:

  1. Consultancy
  2. Orientation Session
  3. 5 hours a week free internet
  4. 8 x tracks, 5 x pictures and 750 word biography upload onto website
  5. 1 x video (75MB)
  6. R100 000 Funeral Cover
  7. Automatic entry to be nominated for an Award at the annual WCMA Music Awards Ceremony
  8. Get free gala dinner ticket whether nominated or not
  1. PLATINUM MEMBERSHIP

R 500 per month / R 5 250 once-off payment

  1. Consultancy
  2. Orientation Session
  3. Unlimited internet usage
  4. Full CD, Photo Album and 1 000 word biography upload onto website
  5. 1 x video (100MB)
  6. R200 000 Funeral Cover
  7. Automatic entry to be nominated for an Award at the annual WCMA Music Awards Ceremony
  8. Get free gala dinner VIP-ticket whether nominated or not
  9. VIP status at the after party
  10. Link to website
  11. Link to facebook.com and myspace.com
  12. Music and ring-tone downloads
  13. Monthly event booking

THE BENEFITS OF MEMBERSHIP

RESOURCE AND INFORMATION CENTRE

The WCMA office functions as a Resource Centre whereby members can assess computers and make use of the Internet services offered.

LIBRARY

The office has a library resource which is at the disposal of its members. With a variety of books the library consists of mainly of literature but also other forms of media (audio and video).

INDUSTRY LISTS & LEAFLETS

The WCMA offers to member’s access to industry lists including record companies, publishers and key role players in the music industry. In addition the WCMA produces an extensive series of leaflets for musicians covering a wide range of subjects including music publishing, intellectual property, and mechanical rights.

TRAINING PROGRAMMER

To create an environment that will be Informative to industry players and other interested parties. These will entail informing members about basic requirements to enter into the industry, requirements to succeed (agencies and organisation that can help), demand of their products and who to sell to etc.

LIFELONG LEARNING

The working life of a musician is never static. At the WCMA we recognize the need for musicians to have access to training and guidance that will provide them with the skills to continue their professional development. In light of this, the WCMA is geared to provide skills development and skills transferences initiatives.

COURSES, SEMINARS AND WORKSHOPS

The WCMA arranges musicians a comprehensive range of industry focused courses and workshop during the year. Workshops will deal with the following; business and life skills, learnership, insurance, company registration, SAMRO registration, contracts and invoicing,

PROFILE BLOGGING

Members will be able to feature their Profiles on the WCMA -site with a blog area, gallery section and an event calendar of their own. Outside of the usual website jargon; news, contact us etc., offers; online registration, Workshop Booking, Create your own profile, Upload of Music Videos or Live Performance Video Clips, Mp3 music and Photo's to your profile, Friends and fans posting wall, Internal friend connection Networking and Profile Blogging.

NETWORKING OPPORTUNITIES

Members of the WCMA are part of an association which is made up of musicians from every genre, of every age, every style and from many cultures. The WCMA is a true community of musicians. From household names to those just starting out. Membership enables you to network with fellow members, giving you a fantastic chance to maximize your career opportunities.

To create Networks that will ensure that musicians and industry players collaborate with one another in a controlled way that will seek to eradicate rip-offs prevalent in the industry ushering in an era which practitioners will have equitable benefit from their intellectual property.

MEMBERSHIP DIRECTORY

Musicians will be permitted to check and update their membership records as well as search for their colleagues in the Western Cape region and instrument

CAREER AND BUSINESS ADVICE

Career and business advice is available to members seeking to increase their employment opportunities in all areas of the music business.

EVENTS COORDINATION / JOB CREATION

To initiate programmes and projects of job creation for its members in conjunction with any interested parties.

BOOKKEEPING

The WCMA avails its computers for those musicians, who lack the necessary resources for bookkeeping purposes,

MEDIATION

Whenever needed, the WCMA can intervene on behalf of the artists when it comes to contract disputes or late payment.

MUSIC RECORDING

This is currently one area in the music industry that’s needs development as there is a lack of accessible recording facilities available.

MEDIUM TERM BENEFITS OF MEMBERSHIP 2009 – 2010

BENEVOLENT FUND

To provide assistance to musicians by means of the Benevolent Fund to members or their dependents in the times of need, whether due to illness or another cause. Currently, the WCMA is in the process of researching medical aid for musicians.

HEALTHCARE PLAN

As a benefit of membership, the Musicians Ass offers health insurance & a dental for an additional charge. The WCMA will have a group health plan with Group Health Company

CONTRACT PROTECTION

Western Cape Music Association contracts are free and available for members. By filing a signed WCMA contract at the Local, you have automatic protection should a purchaser default.

LEGAL ADVICE

WCMA provides dispute resolution including mediation, small claims court and referrals to appropriate legal experts.

REFERRAL HOTLINE SERVICE

The WCMA will be receives many leads per month for live music. Members get daily updates via sms, email or by calling the local office. 5% work dues apply to referral jobs.

PENSION PLAN

The WCMA (Pension) Fund, will be one of the best in RSA, is 100% WCMA funded and is available if you perform at qualifying workplaces or single engagements.

INSTRUMENT AND EQUIPMENT INSURANCE

Coverage is available at competitive rates, ensuring that your gear (including computers) is insured wherever you are working, not just at home.

LEGISLATIVE ADVOCACY

The WCMA legislative office represents musicians’ issues in Western Cape. The WCMA works directly with city and government to protect musicians’ rights and promote initiatives that help performers.

LOCAL WAGE SCALES

Set by working musicians these minimum wages keep us working cooperatively and allow us to keep a fair rate for the musicians’ services.

TRADE SHOWS

The local union hosts a booth at several regional wedding shows each year generating gigs for members.

LOCAL AND NATIONAL RECORDING CONTRACTS

The WCMA will negotiates minimum wages and working conditions for all media; CD’s, TV, Radio, NPR, Jingles, Films, Demos, Video Games, Digital Downloads, etc. Using union contracts guarantees your fair share, including pension, additional payments for new use, yearly profit-sharing payment (residuals) and protection.

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