MUSIC publishing is a hot potato in the local entertainment industry. Courses to assist those involved in showbiz and other stakeholders are a welcome step in the right direction.

It's no wonder that music entrepreneurs, artists and other relevant stakeholders have greeted news of a part-time music publishing course at Wits with excitement and enthusiasm.

The only snag is that while the course has been extended, the closing date for registration for the first semester is February 10.

Starting on Wednesday February 17 at 6pm the classes will be held at the Wits West Campus in Braamfontein, Johannesburg.

The University of the Witwatersrand, in association with the Southern African Music Rights Organisation (Samro), has developed a course titled Business Principles of Songwriting and Music Publishing.

Starting this month the evening classes will run for 14 weeks, with a one-two-to three hour lecture a week and students will receive a certificate from Wits on the successful completion of the course and the final exam.

It is a single-semester course and there will be another intake in July.

Facilitated by Jonathan Shaw and featuring lectures by leading industry professionals, this NQF Level 5 course is targeting anyone working in - or wishing to pursue a career in - music publishing, administration and marketing, who is looking to broaden his or her knowledge of creating, selling and promoting songs in a commercial environment.

It will benefit songwriters, independent music publishers and others seeking to enhance their understanding of the business in areas such as music copyright laws and publishing contracts.

Twenty-five applicants can be accommodated per semester and Samro is sponsoring five bursaries. These will be awarded at Wits's discretion.

The cost of the course is R5120. For more information and to obtain an application form, visit www.witsplus.wits.ac.za or e-mail shortcourses.witsplus@wits.ac.za. Phone 011-717-9500/3 or visit the Wits Plus office.