Apple Music Launches 'Stream Local' Initiative to Support South African Artists

Apple Music has launched a new initiative dubbed "Stream Local" which is set to launch on April 11th. The initiative forms part of the music streaming giant's efforts to support South African musicians as the industry is increasingly negatively impacted by the coronavirus outbreak. Playlists across genres as well as the albums of several chart-topping South African artists will be featured in addition to newly-released music.

READ: Here's How Artists are Navigating the World of Music Amid the Coronavirus Outbreak

With the total number of confirmed coronavirus cases on the African continent standing at over 11 500 with at least 577 reported deaths, many countries have embarked on national lockdowns as part of efforts to curb the spread of the outbreak. As a result, multiple industries––music included––have been negatively affected.

Playlists to be featured on "Stream Local" will include, among several others, Mzansi Hits, Mzansi House, Amapiano Lifestyle, Afrikaanse Treffers and Mzansi Soul as well as Essentials playlists from South Africa's biggest hip-hop artists Nasty C and Cassper Nyovest, gospel group Joyous Celebration and so much more.

Chart-topping albums from the likes of Elaine, Blaq Diamond, Kabza de Small and DJ Maphorisa, as well asthe latest music releases from the likes of Ami Faku, Sha Sha andBongeziwe Mabandla, will also be featured. The latter recently released his third studio album titled iimini, described as a calm meditation on relationships. Nadia Neophytou recently interviewed Mabandla for OkayAfrica. You can read that conversation here.

The South African government has also set aside funds for the country's creatives. OkayAfrica's Sabelo Mkhabela writes that "a few billions have been donated by some of the country's wealthiest citizens to bail out other sectors in the country. Last week, [Nathi] Mthethwa announced that his ministry had reprioritized its budget allocation for the first quarter to avail R150 million to provide relief to the arts sector's practitioners."