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5 October 2005

Dr Z Pallo Jordan, Minister of Arts and Culture will begin discussions with the Northern Cape MEC for Sports, Arts and Culture to investigate the need of community groups in terms of investing in infrastructure. The Minister was speaking on the second leg of his Imbizo consultation sessions in Upington. “What is unique about the Upington Imbizo is that it involved numerous young people. This displays a high interest in the arts, particularly performing arts and crafts making. For example the Siyanda Community art group has been acclaimed locally and has participated in the market theatre’s Zwakala Festival, therefore there is a good basis to support a burgeoning arts scene in the town of Upington as well as the surrounding townships,” the Minister said.

Currently the province has a Provincial Arts Council, which distributes R770 000 per financial year. The Northern Cape administration is in the process of appointing a new Provincial Arts and Culture Council. Responding to a question about promoting gospel music, the MEC Mr Kagiso Molosi undertook to make representation to mayors and municipalities so that local gospel choirs have concessions when requesting to hire community halls to stage gospel concerts.

The Imbizo was attended by a wide range of artists including ballroom dancers, poets, crafters, musicians and dramatists. On Thursday, 6 October, Minister Pallo Jordan will be in Andriesvale conducting an Imbizo with the Khoisan Community.

Enquiries:
Andile Xaba
Cell: 082 377 6627
Premi Appalraju
Cell: 082 375 2939

Issued by: Ministry of Arts and Culture
5 October 2005