The Deputy Minister of Arts and Culture, Ms Rejoice Mabudafhasi will conduct a site visit to the Garage Dance Ensemble project and host Craft Imbizo on Tuesday, 30 June 2015 at O’Kiep, Nama Khoi Local Municipality, Northern Cape Province.
The purpose of the Site Visit is to showcase a youth dance project funded by the National Arts Council. The Garage Dance Ensemble has established a viable, full time dance company in O’Kiep that is producing cutting edge, internationally competitive work with performing artists from the region, under the direction of a competent, visionary artistic director and equally competent, trained arts management.
The Garage Dance Ensemble works with mentors, teachers and arts administrators. The project sources local talent and impacts positively on the communities of Namakwa region. The work of the company through performances and teaching equally challenges and affirms the communities’ social practice and belief system.
Later on the day, the Deputy Minister will proceed to O’Kiep Rec Club to host interactive session with the Crafters, Arts Practitioners, Arts Organisations, youth and community.
The Craft Sector has long being acknowledged as one of the strategic sectors for socio-economic development and job creation in the country. Despite this, many challenges still beset this sector. These challenges ranges from access to information, access to viable markets, access to reasonably priced raw materials for craft production as well as access to funding and finance.
It is for this reason that the Deputy Minister will conduct craft imbizo to provide a platform for crafters, arts practitioners and organisations to engage on the challenges, share ideas on craft sectors’ development and how craft sector can be better serviced moving forward.
Media are invited to attend as follows:
1. Site Visit
Date: Tuesday, 30 June 2015
Time: 9:00 – 11:00
Venue: Garage Dance Ensemble: 50 Hibiscus Street, O’Kiep
2. Craft Imbizo
Date: Tuesday, 30 June 2015
Time: 11:00 – 14:15
Venue: O’Kiep Rec Club
RSVP:
Obed Makgoale
Cell: 060 974 0789
Tel.: 012 441 3713
E-mail: ObedM@dac.gov.za
Enquiries:
Peter Mbelengwa
Cell: 082 611 8197
Email: petermb@dac.gov.za
