Call for entries: SADC Public Outreach Song

The competition is only open to citizens of the SADC region and the wordings of the song and content should aim at promoting awareness and visibility of SADC’s Objectives and Common Agenda. It offers exposure and the opportunity to have the song played by mainstream radio and television stations across the globe and on multiple online platforms.

“The composition for the song should promote regional integration on both domestic and external matters that affect the region, the common history and cultural heritage of the Southern Africa inhabitants, as well as portraying a positive overview of SADC as a region,” reads an official statement from the SADC. “Prospective entrants are invited to submit their entries accompanied by proof of their nationality to the SADC Secretariat.

The statement adds: “Public outreach songs provide impactful channels of relaying information about an organization or product through music and lyrics because the more one hears a song, the greater the chance it will stick in their mind. Furthermore, music is a global language which enhances cultural and artistic understanding across countries and at the same giving soul to the universe and connecting societies together.”

Categories

The song's genre should fall within the following categories: reggae, rock, blues, Christian, comedy/novelty, country, dance, folk, comedy, jazz, pop and R&B/hip-hop. Entrants should submit only one song they deem fit in any of the above mentioned categories. No genre of music will be held in higher regard than another.

Judging criteria are as follows:

• Uniqueness: unique in its genre or create something entirely new, exciting, original material that stands out from the pack.
• Creativity: creation of new dimension, twist to a style of music and great new spin.
• Lyrics: communicating positive message of the song, with brilliance, creativity and imagination in words.
• Appeal: the song should be appealing.
• Length: between three and five minutes.
• Composition: The song should have a chorus, bars, beat, base line, melody, vocals and instrumental break.

NB: The song should not depict violence, sexual explicit language, or substance abuse, profanity by substituting symbols or words, and should be overly sensitive on matters of race, culture, tribe, religion and freedom of association.

Competition rules and guidelines

• The entrants’ work should not have been published/broadcast by a registered and/or authorised music company, radio station, television station or agency or carried on an online of a registered and/or authorised agency in any of the SADC Member States including the globe.
• The competition will only accept one (1) submission per songwriter/musician or artist, and is open to all artists ranging from the age of 10 years and above.
• All songwriters/composers/artists who are SADC nationals may enter the competition, except those in institutions contracted by SADC and the SADC Secretariat staff.
• All songs entering the competition should be in one of the SADC working languages, i.e. English, Portuguese, and French. However, the artist can use some inserts in any national indigenous language of the SADC Region.
• All submissions must be accompanied by a completed SADC Public Outreach Song entry form and should contain full contact details of the entrant, including, passport sized photograph, physical address, telephone, fax number and e-mail addresses.
• The lyrics of the song must be reflective of the SADC region and relates to the people and culture of inhabitants of the region.
• Submission of the song should be in audio format of MP3. Music video of the song is not a compulsory requirement.
• Entries will be initially screened and judged by the Secretariat, which will select the winning entry, and its decision shall be final.
• The Secretariat reserves the right not to award a prize in any of the music categories if the entries do not satisfactorily meet the competition requirements.

Prize

• The winning entry will receive a once-off prize money to the tune of $4 000 which will cover the outright payment of the Intellectual Property Rights of the song. The monetary prize will be accompanied by a trophy and a certificate signed by the SADC Chairperson. The prize will be paid directly to the winner in his/her home country through the Secretariat.
• The Secretariat reserves the right to use the song as and when required, and the artist reserves the right to perform the song outside the SADC Secretariat sphere without consequences, but will not distort the original composition and meaning of the song.
• The artist will not claim any future additional royalties or fees for the song for future use by the Secretariat. The winning entry will remain the property of the SADC Secretariat.

Closing submission date: 14 December 2018.

All entries must be hand delivered, emailed or mailed to:

The Executive Secretary
SADC Secretariat
Plot 54385 New CBD
Private Bag 0095
Gaborone, Botswana
Tel: (+267 395 1863)
Fax: (+267 397 2848)
Email: prinfo@sadc.int

For more information, visit the original call here.