Following the successful launch of the Mines Dance competitions on the 2nd March 2012, the department will roll out the competitions programme as follows:
Date: 18 March 2012
Venue: Welkom Club
Time: 8h00 - 17h00
The Mines Dance competitions are staged against the background that for a long time mines across the country have served not only as drivers of economic growth and development but also as a source of strong and rich traditional dance practices and performances amongst mine workers.
The diversity of cultures that is prevalent in the mines led to different ethnic groups engaging in dance and music as a form of entertainment during their free time.
The department has therefore undertaken to identify, preserve and promote these traditional dances through community development, workshops visual and written documenting as well as providing platforms for formal competition.
Through the Mines Dance competition, the department aims to popularise the unique traditional dances as practiced in the different mines of the Free State by providing regular workshops, providing a representative platform for mineworkers and local community dancers to showcase their talents. This initiative also complements the department’s objective to promote social cohesion through the arts.
It is envisaged that the competition will improve the social and cultural condition of mineworkers and immediate communities by creating awareness, transferring skills and promoting social cohesion. The dance competition will cater for all the various ethnic groups found in the mines across the province and will include performances in the following genres Ndlamo, Hupe, Mohobelo and Tswana dance.
The programme of the competitions will be characterised by two categories: Mine Dance Category and Community Cultural Performances Category, including the following genres: Huphe, Mohobelo, Ntlamo, Ndlamu (Swazi, AmaZulu) Setapo, Baca, Isingile, Mokgibo, Tswana Dance and Famo.
The prices to be distributed to best performers include:
1) Trophies, medals and certificates to be given to groups by genres and
2) Floating trophy to the overall winner.
Mine and cultural groups from across the country are expected to participate in the competitions.
A gala dinner will be hosted on the 17th March 2012, at 17h30 at Welkom Club.
The department commits itself to providing continuous logistical and material support to Mines Dance groups as well as cultural groups for them to continue participating in these cultural programmes.
Media Enquiries:
Tankiso Zola
Tel: 051 410 4742/4786/4719
Cell: 082 940 2392
Email: tankiso@sacr.fs.gov.za
General Enquiries:
Moipone Mokhutle-Moroka
Tel: 057 355 6757
Cell: 083Â 496 8409
Email: moipone.mm@sacr.fs.gov.za
