Ryan Swano
Cape Town’s creative scene is about to be elevated this October as Music Exchange (MEX) returns for its 15th ground-breaking year with MEX25: Global Verse – Music & Culture Summit. For one unforgettable day, the Mother City becomes the heartbeat of Africa’s entertainment future — where artists, producers, entrepreneurs, and industry disruptors converge to reimagine what’s possible.
Founded by Martin Myers in 2009, MEX is now well and truly established and respected – thanks to the incredible support from some of the world’s biggest names in production, song-writing, composition, management, PR, digital strategy and live performance. MEX is excited to announce more of the same in the build-up to its biggest event yet.
Ten World-class Speakers – One Impactful Day
Host MC DJ Eazy, the creative known for his signature blend of hip hop, R&B, and electronic music, and also a respected radio show producer and presenter, will help ensure that MEX25 will once again not just be another conference — it’s a high-voltage experience designed to equip, empower, and elevate. In a world where technology and creativity are colliding faster than ever, this summit offers a front-row seat to the future of music and culture.
This year’s lineup reads like a who’s who of industry powerhouses — each bringing hard-earned wisdom and real-world insights for creatives determined to thrive in 2025 and beyond.
From Arthur Goldstuck’s forward-thinking session on AI and Music: The Human in the Loop, to DJ Ready D’s journey through the evolving South African DJ landscape, MEX25 delivers conversations that matter.
It will also be interesting to learn about how DJ Ready D has branched into writing and curating soundtracks for television series, and how artists can benefit from having their music featured on TV and in films.
Erica Schofield, CEO of ThundaFund, breaks down Crowdfunding: More than Funds, while Jon Savage (INBROADCASTING & Africa Podcast Network) and Barry Mare bring fresh energy to the world of broadcasting and audio production.
The SAMRO panel adds even more value, tackling music, money, and legislation with insights from Chola Makgamathe, Karabo Senna, and Lesego Maforah, alongside Sue Bulloch of Fresh Advertising & Marketing, and Nikilitha Mantungwa of Kopton Music, who reveals how indie artists can break into sync deals and score placements on platforms like Netflix.
An Investment in Creative Empowerment & Networking Opportunities
Beyond the sessions, MEX25 represents something much bigger — a movement for creative empowerment.
Attending MEX is definitely not a case of you paying to simply sit through lectures by old hands in the industry who might be out of touch with the realities on the ground. The keynote speakers and panellists at MEX are at the forefront of addressing the latest developments in the entertainment industry.
The MEX Sessions are all interactive to differing degrees. Not only do you get to hear them speak, but there is nearly always an opportunity for anyone at MEX to directly interact with these experts either directly after they speak or during the scheduled coffee and lunch breaks.
Speaking of coffee… The cost per attendee barely covers the money spent on the generous catering for the coffee breaks. For any struggling young artist or even for those working on the periphery of the entertainment industry, we urge you to see the cost of the ticket as an investment in yourself.
It’s a rare opportunity for artists and industry professionals to step away from the noise, connect meaningfully, and invest in their craft and future. Whether you’re an independent musician, producer, songwriter, marketer, or content creator, the summit offers the tools to unlock new revenue streams, protect your work, and navigate the fast-changing landscape of streaming, sync, and royalties.
Learning The Business of Entertainment
Martin Myers, aside from running Music Exchange as a non-profit organisation to empower aspiring entertainment industry professionals, has since May 2023 hosted the weekly show “The Business of Entertainment” on CapeTalk.
We asked Martin why it is important specifically for struggling young artist and creatives to attend MEX25.
“There is no other platform where young artists can get the opportunity to meet such a diverse group of music and entertainment industry experts and directly engage them on the content of their presentations. Young up-and-coming creatives will nowhere else find themselves in a space where they can network among each other while they engage with industry experts on new strategies to develop their careers.”
“For young creatives, MEX is also an opportunity to learn more about The Business of Entertainment. Understanding how the different components of the music business function empowers you to treat your creativity as a business so that even when you have a team, you know what everyone should be doing to grow your business.”
For creatives serious about growth, sustainability, and global relevance, MEX25 is not a luxury — it’s a necessity.
This is where culture meets commerce, where ideas turn into impact, and where South Africa’s creative economy finds its next generation of leaders.
MEX25 – Global Verse: Music & Culture Summit
📅 October 2025 | 📍 Cape Town
Attendance is R250 per person.
🎟️ Visit musicexchange.co.za for tickets and updates
Book Your MEX25 Ticket Directly on Quicket
