The spotlight was turned on the importance
of the arts in South African society at the official opening ceremony of the
National Arts Festival in Grahamstown on June 28. The festival runs from June 29
to July 9.
“The Festival is a national treasure in the
hidden work it does in building the nation through the arts,” National Arts
Festival CEO Tony Lankester said at a press conference. Although funding
remains a challenge in economically constrained times, the Festival continues
to uphold some important principles worth celebrating. “No artists will be
arrested for what they do and say on stage at the Festival, they enjoy the
freedom to express themselves without fear. Artists are at the Festival in the
same numbers as they have been in years gone by, demonstrating an incredible
commitment to their craft. Audiences are coming and South African audiences
listen and engage especially deeply with the arts,” he said.
Dr Pemmy Majodina, the Eastern Cape MEC for
Sport, Recreation, Arts and Culture, welcomed visitors to the province and
emphasised the significance of this year’s event: “The National Arts Festival
takes place in the year of the centenary of the birth of Oliver Reginald Tambo,
born in 1917 in Nkantolo Village, Eastern Cape. His memory and legacy will be
remembered at the Festival. The Festival will also be commemorating the
centenary of the sinking of the SS Mendi.
The memories of the soldiers lost in that tragedy will play out through
exhibitions and performances at the Festival.” Many of the soldiers who perished
in the sinking of the SS Mendi came from Pondoland in the Eastern Cape.
The chair of the National Arts Festival’s
board, Ayanda Mjekula, acknowledged the extraordinary support of the Eastern
Cape government for the Festival and also noted the significance of the
Festival’s partnership with Makana Municipality. “The partnership we enjoy with
our municipality and province in driving the Creative City project is central
to our agenda of using the arts to address some of our deeply systemic
problems.” The Creative City project focuses on extending the Festival’s legacy
through creative platforms and employment opportunities for Grahamstown
residents.
Mjekula honoured the commitment of
long-term sponsor Standard Bank, which is again supporting the Festival in
2017. Hazel Chimhandamba, Head: Group Sponsorships for Standard Bank, said
this, the 43rd Festival, held a special significance for the group; “At
Standard Bank, we’ve long believed in the power of the arts as important
drivers of economic and social transformation. This year we take stock of our
longstanding commitment to the arts as we commemorate a number of key
milestones at the National Arts Festival. Standard Bank has been a proud
sponsor of the National Arts Festival for over 30 years. This year marks the
20th year of our direct sponsorship of the Standard Bank Jazz Festival. And the
Standard Bank National Youth Jazz Festival celebrates 25 years. What a
celebration of the arts! Here’s to
another successful year at the National Arts Festival, as we reflect on these
incredible milestones in our art history.”
The Executive Mayor of the Makana
Municipality, Cllr Nomhle Gaga, welcomed Festival-goers and assured visitors
that there were plans in place to manage the extra water and electricity
demands. “We are currently experiencing a severe drought in Grahamstown so we
are urging visitors to please use water sparingly during their stay,” she said.
(To
link direct to the NAF site click on the large banner that runs across the top
of this blog
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