5 September 2006
We have again reached the time of year when the South African Police Service
will be holding its annual Music and Cultural Unity Festival. This, being the
14th festival and the second for KwaZulu-Natal, is being hosted here in Durban
at the City Hall by Provincial Commissioner Hamilton Ngidi between 7 and 9
September 2006.
The Music and Culture Association (Polmusca) Unity Festival was officially
launched on 27 June 1992 at the World Trade Centre in Kempton Park (Gauteng).
This is the brainchild of Assistant Commissioner MW Ngobeni who served as the
organisation's first chairperson until 1992 and then became the first president
before retiring from the police after serving for 43 years. Commissioner
Mikhachane Joseph Ngobeni, the current Head of Communication and Liaison
Services in the South African Police Service (SAPS) has since become the
President of the association.
The association endeavours to, among many objectives, promote and protect
the interests of music and culture in the SAPS, support crime prevention
initiatives through community policing, enhance the morale of SAPS members,
promote and maintain healthy relationships between various cultures and
communities of South Africa. Equally, Polmusca strives toward promoting
cultural diversity both within the police and our communities throughout South
Africa. During the last 13 years this association has had successful festivals
and every year these festivals just grew to be more and more professional.
Eight provincial bands and the Tshwane Band will participate in this year's
festival together with choirs from all nine provinces and Head Office.
"It is clear that we have come a long way these past fourteen years through
setting new standards. I am convinced that this year's event will be a much
more melodious and hopefully surpass any other previous events," said
Commissioner Francinah Vuma, the chairlady of Polmusca. "Polmusca is the
heartbeat of music and culture in the SAPS and needs nurturing in order to
bring harmony among members of the service and the community" said the
President of Polmusca, Commissioner Joseph Ngobeni.
Enquiries:
Vishnu Naidoo
Senior Superintendent
Cell: 082 567 4153
Issued by: South African Police Service
5 September 2006
