THANK YOU for Making #MEX25 Unforgettable — and to Those Who Missed It, You Missed Something Truly Special

Cape Town, 28 October 2025 This past weekend, 25th October, Music Exchange (MEX) marked a powerful milestone — 15 years of empowering, connecting, and transforming South Africa’s creative industry — with the sold-out #MEX25: Global Verse – Music & Culture Summit.

The event once again proved that perseverance, preparation, and passion remain the keys to lasting success in an ever-evolving creative economy.

Fifteen years of consistent delivery is no small feat. It takes grit, collaboration, and belief to sustain a platform that continues to educate and elevate artists, entrepreneurs, and cultural innovators. #MEX25 was a celebration of that enduring commitment — a full day of insights, inspiration, and industry-shaping ideas.

Hosted by DJ Eazy — A Day of Industry-Shaping Voices

#MEX25 brought together some of the most influential voices shaping music, media, technology, and culture today. We extend our heartfelt thank you to all our incredible speakers and contributors, whose generosity and openness made this year’s summit unforgettable:

• Arthur Goldstuck – AI and Music: The Human in the Loop
• Ready D – The Journey of a DJ & Artist in South Africa
• Erica Schofield (ThundaFund) – Crowdfunding: More than Funds
• Jon Savage (Africa Podcast Network) – Is It Too Late to Start Podcasting?
• Barry Maré – Capitalise on Content: Monetising Your Craft
• Nikilitha Mantungwa (Kopton Music) – The Sync Climate for Indie Artists

SAMRO Leadership Panel: Music, Money & Impact – Building a Resilient Industry, featuring:

• Chola Makgamathe – Music, Money & Legislation
• Karabo Senna – Sales & Licensing in the Modern Era with Indi Chawla from London, Head of International Relations at MLC
• Lesego Maforah – Corporate Social Investment: A Catalyst for Creative Industry Development

African Kulture Panel

• Athie Umgidio and Digital Sangoma

Real-World Wisdom and Resonance

Every session resonated with real-world wisdom, courage, and practical takeaways — from AI’s impact on artistry to creating sustainable revenue streams in the new music economy. The atmosphere was one of honesty, collaboration, and creative energy.

Reflections from Attendees

“Big well done to you and your partners on a great #MEX25. I found all the talks I attended very useful, and the frankness of the sharing by speakers and participants was very encouraging.” — Gerard Ralphs

“Being in the room, and understanding that luck is when preparation meets opportunity — those are my key takeaways from #MEX25. Anyone in the creative industry needs to stay abreast of a world developing faster than most can keep up with.” — Ryan Swano (Bruinou.com & Fifth Element Live)

“Wow! It was inspiring. You and the team curated it beautifully. Be proud of yourself — with all the challenges this year, you did this! It was on another level. Brilliant.” — Lesley Wells, Manager to Moreira Chonguica and 3 Tons of Fun

“Thank you again for this weekend. I’m inspired and motivated to continue the work I’ve started. You play such a vital role in shaping my career.” — Germaine Leonard

MEX: A Cornerstone of Creative Growth

The 15th anniversary of MEX stands as a testament to what sustained passion and purpose can achieve. Founded by Martin Myers, MEX has become a cornerstone of South Africa’s creative ecosystem — nurturing careers, sparking collaboration, and driving meaningful change across the arts, business, and technology.

Beyond the summit, MEX continues its mission year-round through regular Workshops, Master Classes, and The Business of Entertainment radio show on CapeTalk, hosted every Thursday at 9pm by Martin Myers and available as a podcast — all designed to keep the creative community learning, earning, and growing.

Stay Connected

To those who couldn’t be there this year — you missed a landmark celebration of creativity, courage, and connection. But the journey continues. Join the Music Exchange Facebook Group, follow @MusicExchangeSA, and be part of the next chapter in South Africa’s creative story.

Gratitude and Acknowledgements

Fifteen years strong — and still just getting started. #MEX25 once again proved that perseverance, preparation, and participation are the foundation of creative success.

Special thanks to: SAMRO, Department of Arts and Culture in Western Cape Government, Lift Airlines, Paul Bothners Music, Music in Africa, BizCommunity, CapeTalk, and Peter Herring for the great photos of the day.