On the Couch with MEX

The Business of Entertainment on CapeTalk welcomed a powerhouse guest — Dr Sheldon Rocha Leal, a leading voice in South Africa’s creative and music education sectors.Dr. Leal unpacked “The DIY Musician, Portfolio Careers, Creative Districts, and Innovations in the Creative Industries” — a must-listen discussion for artists, educators, entrepreneurs, and anyone passionate about the evolving creative economy.Currently, the Academic Registrar at the Academy of Sound Engineering in Johannesburg, Dr Lea, brings decades of experience across music education, industry leadership, and curriculum innovation.

Fresh off-air, Indi Chawla, Head of International Relations at The Mechanical Licensing Collective (MLC), discusses the business of entertainment, the future of music rights, and how global licensing frameworks are reshaping value for creators.Now based in London, Chawla leads international strategy for the MLC — the U.S. digital mechanical rights organisation responsible for collecting and distributing royalties from digital music services to songwriters, composers, and publishers.Special thanks to Karabo Senna for setting this up.

The humble, gracious, Arthur Goldstuck (CEO, World Wide Worx, Editor-in-Chief, Gadget, Columnist, Sunday Times), was our keynote speaker at the 15th edition of Music Exchange (MEX25) last weekend. While he was in town, he also made time to visit the BOE studio @capetalk to discuss his latest book, which unpacks making complex issues exciting and understandable in our AI-driven world.

What a stunning exclusive interview on Cape Talk with Robin S. She is  The Queen of Club Anthems.Hailing from Queens, New York, Robin Stone, better known as Robin S, burst onto the global stage in the early 1990s with her house anthem “Show Me Love”.  Special thanks to Paris Toon and Andy Heynes for making this  conversation happen. 

Part 2 of my conversation with DJ Eazy from the Cape Talk show, The Business of Entertainment (BOE).* DJ Eazy is also the host of the 15th edition of Music Exchange next week on 25th October, 2025.Show producer - Barry Maré.How does that old saying go? People who say it can't be done need to stop interrupting those who are doing it.

Celebrated South African DJ and radio producer DJ Eazy was my featured guest on The Business of Entertainment on Thursday night, 9 October at 9 PM. The conversation with Martin Myers explored the evolution of South Africa’s music industry, the business behind the beats, and DJ Eazy’s remarkable journey through hip hop, R&B, and electronic music. In addition to his CapeTalk appearance, DJ Eazy will host Music Exchange, now in its 15th year (#MEX25), on 25 October. This event, South Africa’s leading independent music, film, and entertainment conference, brings together industry leaders to share insights and opportunities for collaboration.

Annabell Lebethe is the CEO of SAMRO (The Southern African Music Rights Organisation). She was in the studio at Cape Talk on Thursday, 2 October, just after 9:00 p.m., for a conversation on the Business of Entertainment with Martin Myers.This is the second part of an engaging discussion with Annabell, and we do talk about the elephant in the room.As listener Naren Sewpaul remarked after last week's discussion with Annabell: “Your approach was professional, and conversationally engaging. It brought out the essence of what the audience needed to hear. Most of all, Annabell felt comfortable speaking openly and honestly. I enjoyed the conversation and am looking forward to next Thursday.”Please enjoy.

The Southern African Music Rights Organisation (SAMRO) has Annabell Lebethe as Chief Executive Officer (CEO). She was in Studio at Cape Talk on Thursday 25 September just after 9pm on the Business of Entertainment in conversation with Martin Myers.Do enjoy the wonderful discussion about SAMRO with Annabell.Prior to this, Annabell served as CEO of Ditsong Museums of South Africa, a group of eight museums that falls under the Department of Sport, Arts and Culture. She also previously held the position of interim CEO of the Performing Arts Centre of the Free State, CEO of the Market Theatre Foundation and CEO of the National Arts Council, in addition to several other leadership roles during her career.

Renowned Artist Jill Trappler Featured on The Business of Entertainment, CapeTalk. This is part two of our conversation with Jill.From the Drakensberg mountains to Johannesburg’s cultural ferment of the 1970s, and Cape Town’s dynamic arts scene today, Trappler’s journey has shaped a practice rooted in interaction, education, and creative exchange.Jill lives by a motto inspired by the wisdom of trees: “Stand tall and proud, go out on a limb, remember your roots, drink plenty of water, be content with your natural beauty, and enjoy the view.”This philosophy flows through her work and community initiatives, offering listeners a rare opportunity to hear from an artist whose life and practice embody resilience, beauty, and grounded creativity.

Cape Town-based artist and cultural activist Jill Trappler was  in studio on The Business of Entertainment on Cape Talk  on what is, officially our 200th podcast of On the Couch.With a career spanning more than three decades, Trappler is celebrated not only for her paintings and solo exhibitions but also for her groundbreaking contributions to South Africa’s arts community.As a painter, she explores texture, mark-making, and colour with a sensitivity informed by her background as a weaver and spinner. Her work, shown nationally and internationally, reflects her immersion in both South Africa’s complex social landscape and its natural environments.Trappler has been at the heart of transformative creative initiatives since the 1980s. She co-founded Thupelo and Greatmore Studios, was a key member of the Bag Factory in Johannesburg, and has served on the boards of the AVA Gallery and the National Arts Council.Deeply committed to community upliftment, she established the Philani Weaving Project and Intle Cooperative in Khayelitsha and Philippi, while also nurturing creative healing through the Valkenberg Art Studio initiative.Her projects are grounded in an ethos of collaboration and skill-sharing, creating spaces where art becomes a tool for empowerment, confidence building, and social cohesion.Known for her patience and ability to work across languages and generations, Trappler has helped cultivate employment opportunities and creative development throughout the Cape Peninsula.From the Drakensberg mountains to Johannesburg’s cultural ferment of the 1970s, and Cape Town’s dynamic arts scene today, Trappler’s journey has shaped a practice rooted in interaction, education, and creative exchange.https://www.jilltrappler.co.za 

Part two of my interview on BOE, CapeTalk on Thursday, 5 September, 2025, with Dan Shout.From sharing global stages with the legendary Johnny Clegg for seven years, performing at festivals like the Montreal Jazz Festival, North Sea Jazz Festival and even Bastille Day in Paris, saxophonist Dan Shout has built a career defined by versatility and excellence.

Dan Shout on The Business of Entertainment – on CapeTalkFrom sharing global stages with the legendary Johnny Clegg for seven years, to performing at festivals like the Montreal Jazz Festival, North Sea Jazz Festival and even Bastille Day in Paris, saxophonist Dan Shout has built a career defined by versatility and excellence.Shout has played with South Africa’s finest – from Winston Mankunku Ngozi to the Cape Town Jazz Orchestra – and collaborated with international icons such as Maria Schneider, Steve Turré, and Nils Landgren.

This is the stunning second episode with Relate CEO, Dalit Shekel, a fantastic and engaging conversation.Dalit, through Relate Bracelets is turning accessories into agents of change.Relate has raised over R83 million for causes in health, education, conservation, and community upliftment, selling more than 4.5 million bracelets worldwide.With 25 years’ experience across corporate, startups, and nonprofits, Dalit blends sharp strategy with a passion for social impact.Under her leadership, Relate is pioneering “Social Retail” - where every bracelet empowers township seniors and young crafters while driving global change.

Dalit Shekel is the CEO of Relate Bracelets, the South African social enterprise turning accessories into agents of change.Relate has raised over R83 million for causes in health, education, conservation, and community upliftment — all through the sale of over 4.5 million bracelets worldwide.With 25+ years’ experience spanning corporate, startup, and nonprofit sectors, Dalit blends sharp business acumen with a deep commitment to social impact.

Jason Curtis dives deeper into what it really takes to succeed as an indie artist in today’s cluttered entertainment landscape.From building super fans to selling physical music in a streaming world, it’s a no-fluff look at how smart strategy and authentic storytelling can drive real success.