Presenting Meet the Directors, an ongoing blog series that will spotlight the directors that run the MPA. Our first spotlight is Thando Makhunga, the Vice Chair of MPASA and the Managing Director of Sheer Publishing. A prominent figure in the music publishing industry, Thando is a staunch supporter of African music and a visionary leader.
Thando agreed to an interview with us in which she provided insightful answers to 5 questions on the makings of her illustrious career, her plans for the Music Publishers’ Association of South Africa, advice for those starting out in the industry, and her thoughts on the state of the music industry itself.
1. From radio to managing director, what were the key moments that got you to where you are now professionally?
In my professional career I’ve been fortunate to work in environments that supported learning and development and to have had mentors that supported me in that journey. This provided me with the opportunity to pivot into roles that while different from the traditional media route allowed me to gain skills and experiences in leadership roles that complemented each other.
2. What motivated you to take on a leadership position within MPASA?
As the Managing Director of Sheer Publishing Africa, one the leading independent publishers on the continent, it is essential as an organization that we are immersed in the industry with both peers and competitors alike. The MPA is an organization that represents a broad spectrum of publishers, and it is our responsibility as Sheer to participate in, be active and have a voice on issues that affect the broader industry for the long-term growth of publishing in South Africa.
3. What are the challenges and opportunities you see in the current landscape of the music publishing industry?
Some of the key challenges publishers face include the limited understanding of publishing at a basic level on the continent, and the critical role of functional CMO’s to the publishing industry. Music users such as broadcasters, streaming platforms and the film and tv industry don’t have a full understanding of the correct processes to follow to legally utilize music for commercial projects and how to report usage to the relevant bodies. The regulatory environment also plays a critical factor in enabling a creative industry which respects intellectual property across the spectrum. With that said, the opportunities being presented by technology such as artificial intelligence, the democratization of the music industry and interesting tools like NFT’s offer new ways for rightsholders to monetize their intellectual property which is exciting. Creators now have improved access to information and technology that will allow them to independently run successful creative enterprises.
4. What has been the keys to success in your career?
The ability to be teachable, the expectation to continuously learn (through formal education or from experience) at each career stage and the ability to embrace change. These traits become critical in becoming a leader who can navigate an industry that has seen major global disruptions in the past decade. Additionally, I truly believe in the power of collaboration within an organization and within the industry you operate to unlock possibilities. And then ultimately, there is no success without hard work and commitment which is a mantra for any individual wanting to achieve their goals.
5. What would you say is your proudest achievement working in the music publishing industry?
I am passionate about empowering creatives and believe knowledge sharing and industry development with creative industry stakeholders will result in a creator community that is skilled and knowledgeable for the benefit of future generations. As such in my first year at Sheer, we embarked on an initiative to educate creators on film scoring which has resulted in a quarterly masterclass series involving some of South Africa’s top composers, film directors, and producers. This year we were able to extend this into a partnership with the National Film and Video Foundation on a masterclass for the film industry on music licensing and music supervision at the annual Durban Film Mart.
Source: https://mpasaonline.co.za/