NZHELELE – Musicians from the Vhembe District formed a musicians forum at the Thohoyandou town hall last week.

According to the Public Relations Officer of the forum, Mr Rapson Rambuwani, several musicians around the Vhembe district were robbed by fly-by-night producers in the past, who promised to record their music.

"Our local musicians were forced by producers to sign contracts, without any knowledge of the music industry, and it ended in embarrassment and disappointment for our musicians," Rambuwani said.

He said the main purpose of the forum is to bring local musicians together and to promote the local artists. He discouraged artists from traveling all the way to the Reef for music productions, only to be robbed.

"People must come to us and we will help them to record their albums and lead them to the best recording company or producer." He said that more than fifty members have already registered with the forum.

Rambuwani appealed to the musicians who are still working on their own to join them. "We were informed by the Department of Arts and Culture in Limpopo to establish the forum, in order to get compensation from the department or other institutions, and from overseas.

The committee members elected during the meeting are Mr Roxley Masevhe (chairperson), Mr Paul Mulaudzi (treasurer), Mr Dalton Mbedzi (organising secretary), Jacky Nethomboni (secretary) and Rapson Rambuwani (PRO).

Interested musicians can phone Rambuwani at 082 650 4606 or 082 638 2725.