Buyile Mdladla

Lack of originality harms creative sectorLack of originality harms creative sector

lack of originality and creativity is undeniably a growing issue harming the local creative sector. The situation is so dire that we may be on the verge of normalising this trend. While it may be uncomfortable to label someone a copycat, the increase in creatives imitating or replicating the behaviours, styles, and ideas of others has reached alarming levels. Historically, this problem was prevalent in the music industry, but it has now spread to other fields, including spoken word, film, television, dance, and even visual arts. This troubling trend promotes imitation over originality, effectively stifling the creative sector. While new talents continue to emerge, many lose their unique vision as the influence of the digital landscape dominates the industry. Some creatives who had bright futures have lost their way through imitation.