THERE'S a new doctor in the South African music family.
Academic and musician Sello Galane graduated with a doctorate through the University of Pretoria last Tuesday.
Galane, who earned his master's a few years ago through the study of the kiba music of the Bapedi, toiled for four years for his doctorate.
The main focus of his study was the malombo spiritual music that was brought to the attention of the world by Dr Phillip "Malombo" Tabane.
"I recommended that Tabane be given an honorary doctorate by the University of Venda a few years back. He later gave me a suitcase full of his life (documents about his life, festivals he performed in, newspaper clippings, songs he wrote and documents he signed), and that suitcase has earned me my doctorate."
The percussionist and cultural activist also focused on various themes in South African music, including the Copyright Act, the music broadcast culture and the readiness of infrastructure for the development of indigenous music.
"The broadcast royalties received by artists is pathetic in this country," he contests.
A number of recommendations are also made in his study.
"I fundamentally recommended that 95percent of local music be played on radio - that includes indigenous music."
Galane, known for his song Pula and the Free Kiba concept, intends putting his qualification to good use. "We have started the Free Kiba Music Development Foundation to do studies and research on all other African music forms.
"I also intend to play a role in making sure that areas of legislation that are not helpful to indigenous music are amended to benefit the music industry."
His study is expected to be available for public consumption by the end of next week.
WELCOME DOCTOR GALANE
THERE'S a new doctor in the South African music family.
Academic and musician Sello Galane graduated with a doctorate through the University of Pretoria last Tuesday.
Galane, who earned his master's a few years ago through the study of the kiba music of the Bapedi, toiled for four years for his doctorate.
The main focus of his study was the malombo spiritual music that was brought to the attention of the world by Dr Phillip "Malombo" Tabane.
"I recommended that Tabane be given an honorary doctorate by the University of Venda a few years back. He later gave me a suitcase full of his life (documents about his life, festivals he performed in, newspaper clippings, songs he wrote and documents he signed), and that suitcase has earned me my doctorate."
The percussionist and cultural activist also focused on various themes in South African music, including the Copyright Act, the music broadcast culture and the readiness of infrastructure for the development of indigenous music.
"The broadcast royalties received by artists is pathetic in this country," he contests.
A number of recommendations are also made in his study.
"I fundamentally recommended that 95percent of local music be played on radio - that includes indigenous music."
Galane, known for his song Pula and the Free Kiba concept, intends putting his qualification to good use. "We have started the Free Kiba Music Development Foundation to do studies and research on all other African music forms.
"I also intend to play a role in making sure that areas of legislation that are not helpful to indigenous music are amended to benefit the music industry."
His study is expected to be available for public consumption by the end of next week.