As part of its outreach programme, Ziyaduma Arts Promotions invites artists, cultural groups, arts managers and ward councillors from Far East, Thabong, to an arts imbizo on Friday, 21 June, at the Thabong 2 Library at 10:00
Issues of the discussion will include the engagement and active commitment of the municipalities in arts development in different wards through assistance, support, and partnership with all the ward councillors.
“There are no recreational and arts facilities in Far East, hence it makes it very difficult to identify, develop, expose, and promote talents. The arts are marginalised as priority is given to sports,” says Saduma Miya, arts promoter.
He says there are also no departments and government structures that are truly committed, concerned, or active in reaching out to the struggling underdeveloped amateur talents.
“Budgets allocated to the arts must be used for such developments, but is not. Some officials in the arts are not qualified, not well-trained and are incompetent in dealing with such situations. They are not approachable and have a negative attitude and anger towards desperate, needy artists.
“The Department of Sport, Arts, Culture and Recreation must pull up its socks and investigate this. Those kind of officials are only interested in their monthly salaries, not arts development,” he believes.
As one of the means of uniting and building a good working relationship among different artists and cultural groups, Ziyaduma Arts Promotions will collect a database during the arts imbizos. After the imbizos the outcomes, way forward, problems, needs and database will be presented to the MEC’s office and relevant officials by a delegation or task team established during the imbizos.
“One of the most important missions is to encourage the artists to embark on joint ventures and partnership, starting with the celebration of Mandela Month, Women’s Month, and Heritage Month.
“Opportunities must be created for upcoming artists to be considered for bigger events like Macufe and to get exposure.
“Another issue of concern is the lack of support and appreciation of the arts and role from the community, which still needs to be taught and exposed to the arts. Artists or cultural groups that wish to render short performances during the imbizo are welcome, as this will also help to identify talents to expose and promote,” says Miya.
The next arts imbizo for Thabong West will be held on Saturday, 13 July, at a venue still to be confirmed.
Thabong Far East artists, community members, and ward councilors can contact Miya on 083-749-1432 to confirm attendance and participation before 21 June.
