The curtain has gone up on the National Arts Festival in
Grahamstown and the city is buzzing with the jam-packed programme of shows and
events.
The event was officially opened by the Department of Art’s
and Culture’s Minister, Nathi Mthethwa, who was accompanied by his Deputy
Minister, Rejoice Mabudafhasi, at a ceremony hosted by the Provincial
Government of the Eastern Cape. The Department of Arts and Culture has just
announced an extension of their funding agreement with the National Arts
Festival and will invest R17 million in the event over the next three years.
Speaking at the press conference yesterday, Deputy Minister
Rejoice Mabudhafasi pointed to the Festival's massive contribution to the
economy of the Province as being a key reason for the re-investment by the
Department, and highlighted the platform it gives, particularly, to crafters
and SMMEs to derive economic benefit from their work.
The National Arts Festival contributes R349,936,380 to the
Eastern Cape economy and the impact on the Grahamstown economy was last
measured at R90,690,259 in 2013. An economic impact study is being conducted on
the Festival this year and the results will become available later in the year.
Makana Mayor, Nomhle Gaga, welcomed everyone to the city of
Grahamstown and said that the Festival was very important to the municipality,
not only economically but also as a chance to bring a spotlight to the area.
The Eastern Cape’s MEC for Sport, Recreation, Arts and
Culture, Pemmy Majodina said that the Eastern Cape Government is particularly
invested in the development of Eastern Cape Artists towards their participation
at the Festival and beyond. The MEC said that the Eastern Cape Provincial
Government had also increased their support of the Fingo Festival, an event
that runs parallel to the National Arts Festival in the Fingo township. See
more about this and other projects outside of the Festival in https://nationalartsfestival.prezly.com/grahamstown-the-creative-city
The Mayor, Eastern Cape MEC and National Arts Festival CEO,
Tony Lankester, assured Festival-goers that the city was ready for the Festival
and had an integrated team in place in case any unexpected situations arose during
the Festival. Additional SAPS members have been brought in to assist with
policing and the Festival has a large team of private security staff as well.
Standard Bank is another key sponsor of the National Arts
Festival. “Standard Bank has had a long and proud relationship with the
National Arts Festival which provides a stage to both nurture young talent and
show case the rich diversity of our creative arts,” says Hazel Chimhandamba,
head of Group Sponsorships at Standard Bank.
“The programme comprises the multi-disciplinary Standard
Bank Young Artist Awards, which will feature 2016 awardees Jade Bowers, Themba
Mbuli, Mohau Modisakeng, Avigail Bushakowitz and Siya Makuzeni, some of whom
will be premiering their works. And not forgetting SA’s oldest jazz festival –
the Standard Bank Jazz festival – which has attracted 150 of the world’s
biggest jazz innovators from 14 countries. This platform opens up opportunities
for networking and collaboration between international performers and their
South African counterparts,” she adds.
The National Arts Festival also welcomed the National
Lotteries Commission’s R10 million sponsorship of the Fringe. This development
was welcomed by Fringe artists who also received a R1000 rebate on their
production costs as a result.
The Festival runs until July 10. CEO, Tony Lankester says,
“If people are feeling spontaneous, there is still some space just outside of
Grahamstown and in the outer-lying regions – and there may be last minute
cancellations so give it a try.” Equally, he urged Eastern Cape residents to
make a day trip to Grahamstown to enjoy this “iconic event on their doorstep”.
To stay in touch with the National Arts Festival use the
hashtag #NAF16 and follow:
Facebook: www.facebook.com/nationalartsfestival
Twitter: @artsfestival
Instagram: @nationalartsfestival
The National Arts
Festival is grateful to the National Lotteries Commission, the Department of
Arts and Culture, Eastern Cape Provincial Government, M-Net and Standard Bank
of South Africa.
(To link direct to the
NAF site click on the large banner that runs across the top of this blog)