South Africa's premier music market, the Moshito Conference, has become well-known in global circles. The conference, now in its 15th year, is a place for budding musicians and established artists to exchange ideas and experiences. It's also about building personal brands and teaching artists about the business aspects of music. This year's event is themed "The Long Walk to Music", in honor of Nelson Mandela. CGTN's Julie Scheier has more from the scene.

Siki Jo-An is a budding musician. For her and many other young artists, it does feel like a long walk to kick start their musical careers.

SIKI JO-AN BUDDING MUSICIAN "As an upcoming artist, you really cannot make a living out of music. You have to have a backup, you have to be business orientated and business minded, make music as an option but also have a stable income."

The Moshito Festival, South Africa's premier music market, is held annually in Johannesburg and its helping musicians like Jo-An.

SIKI JO-AN BUDDING MUSICIAN "I find myself being here at Moshito, and other events like Moshito because I want to learn more about the business side of things. I am an individual and I need to make money. So, that means I am a business woman. So I'm here to get knowledge about the showbiz."

JULIE SCHEIER JOHANNESBURG, SOUTH AFRICA "The Moshito Festival has positioned itself as a Business platform for the music industry. It also helps African artists connect with performers and record companies from all over the world."

CHIMA IROZURU NIGERIAN MUSICIAN "Now I'm dealing with key industry players, and I'm learning from them first hand. And I'm seeing contracts, seeing what to sign and what not to sign, you understand, hearing from people who are actually even signed."

The conference focuses on more than just mainstream genres. It also harnesses talent from the vast array of South African cultures.

SIBANISEZWE MKHIZE ZULU DANCER, AMAFOSTANE "With Moshito, what they do best is that they go and look for different artists from different areas, and reach out to us. It's true to Africa, especially that they are focused on the local talent."

SINAMANDLA KWEPILE GENERAL MANAGER, MOSHITO FESTIVAL "We have corporate agreements, cultural corporational agreements. So, basically, we exchange musicians with different markets. We have Mauritius here this year. We've got Seychelles. We also have Azco. Azco comes from Zanzibar."

ERIC TRITON MAURITIAN ARTIST "It's now 36 years that I'm travelling and playing on stage everywhere in the world and being here in Moshito is for me also important because so many people we can meet. We have this exchange, musical exchange, cultural exchange which are very important."

The musical landscape is also changing. Artists can now showcase themselves on social media without big record deals. But the key to being successful is in managing their brands, and Moshito is lending a hand with that. Julie Scheier,CGTN, JHB, SA.