Swazi Observer

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BUSHFIRE, ARMC RENEW PARTNERSHIP

By KHETSIWE KHUMALO | 2025-02-28

MTN Bushfire and the Africa Rising Music Conference (ARMC) are joining forces once again to elevate opportunities for artists and arts industry professionals in Eswatini, commencing with the launch of the second edition of the Arts Round Table online workshops.

In line with MTN Bushfire’s ‘Bring Your Fire’ call to action for positive social and environmental change, this partnership, according to festival Director Jiggs Thorne, reinforces the festival’s longstanding commitment to supporting sustainable arts development. This is expressed annually through the MTN Bushfire Arts Round Table arts industry workshops.

“MTN Bushfire and ARMC are kicking off with an application call-out for the first session of the Arts Round Table online workshops to be held on 6th March, 2025 under the topic, ‘Music Publishing and Copyright Masterclass’. Interested participants are invited to apply via this link: https://bit.ly/41cDqZs,” he said.

He shared the incredible value and positive outcomes that have been achieved through the partnership, which have also inspired the extension of MTN Bushfire and ARMC’s joint contribution to the annual MTN Bushfire Arts Round Table.

“Initially a three-year partnership formed in 2022, MTN Bushfire and ARMC continue to be one of Africa’s leading collaborations, building bridges and offering showcase opportunities between the African and European music markets.

Focus territories to date have included The Netherlands / Dutch (2022), Germany, Switzerland and Austria (2023), and the United Kingdom (2024). In 2025 the focus territory extends to Luxembourg, Switzerland and the United Kingdom,”Thorne said.
sustainable
Founder of ARMC, Sarah Jane Nicholson, highlighted that ARMC believes that sustainable industry development comes from creating real opportunities, fostering meaningful connections, and ensuring African creatives have access to global platforms.

“Our renewed partnership with MTN Bushfire continues to be a vital bridge between Eswatini, Africa, and international markets-equipping artists and industry professionals with the knowledge and networks to thrive. The impact we’ve seen, from enhanced distribution to policy support and artist exchanges, reaffirms the importance of long-term collaboration.

We’re excited to keep building this ecosystem together, driving innovation, and amplifying African talent worldwide,” she stated.

MTN Bushfire and ARMC’s collective vision to connect Eswatini and Africa to the world continues to offer multiple opportunities for African executives and creatives to network across the globe through a series of online workshops and the MTN Bushfire Arts Round Table which will take place on Friday 30th May 2025, ahead of the MTN Bushfire weekend.

Inception
Since the inception of the MTN Bushfire Arts Round Table workshops in 2012, over1 100 artists have benefited.

Through the MTN Bushfire and ARMC partnership, notable outcomes have included the introduction and increase in music distribution globally for 10 Eswatini artists through Paradise Worldwide.

The partnership has also resulted in the support for, and contributions towards the development of the Eswatini Copyright and Neighbouring Rights Society (ESWACOS), Eswatini artist bookings in Europe, as well as young industry professional exchange opportunities in Germany in 2024.

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