GALLERY: The second annual art expo
Celebrities say every talent is business.
Business people, students and residents got a chance to meet their favourite entertainment personalities at the Showbiz, Entertainment and Art Expo (SEAexpo) on 5 September.
Among the speakers was Pepsi Pokane, a former television presenter who is now a businessman.
Pokane, who owns Bonngoe TV, said every talent is a business and people should learn to manage it as such.
“Turn you talent into a business. I was not born a businessman but I used all the platforms I got to be where I am today. Most of our DJs are not on radio for money but to push their talents,” said Pokane.
“Don’t sit in your corner expecting companies to look for you. Look for them, get disappointed when they don’t call you for the auditions. But start all over again. If possible, create your own work, and be your own boss as well.”
The two-day workshop covered an introductory short course on project management in the arts.
Gisela Claasen of the Younique Concepts said SEAexpo seeks to empower talented individuals to be able to turn their talent into a business.
Financial management specialist Darlene Menzies from SMEasy explained that talent without knowledge of management is nothing.
“You need to understand financial management because lack of it leads into failing business. You can be an incredible artist but without knowledge of finance, you won’t go anywhere,” she said.
Menzies advised artists and upcoming artists to start focusing on financial statements and learn to understand their accounts.
The CEO of National Art Council of South Africa (NAC) Rosemary Mangope said for people to be successful they need disciplinary agility, social network capability, enterprise knowledge, career self-management and digital literacy.
Gaenor Becker of Gaenor Talent Management said, “We don’t get it easy in this industry, it is a dog eat dog industry, to be successful you need to know your story. It is not all about glamour and you thinking yes, you can make it.”
Actor Jack Devnarain, known as Rajesh Kumar in Isidingo, said the competition is tough in the acting industry,” but actors and actresses just have to be creative and sell their talents.”
Pre-schools from across Johannesburg also visited the Museum Africa on 5 and 6 September and were given insight into the rich history of their areas during the Iron Age.
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