The City of Durban will experience one of the most innovative and comprehensive arts, culture and heritage manifestations during the period of COP17 conference. The Department of Arts and Culture has organised a series of events that are aimed at displaying an unmistakable South African identity and highlight the seriousness of the climate change phenomenon. The cultural programme heightening awareness about climate change and display how artists can contribute to fighting poverty, job creation and skills development in a sustainable manner.
The Department together with its agencies and the sector will present exhibitions, demonstrations and performances. We take the subject of climate seriously and will thus use materials that are eco-friendly in the creation of products. We believe that it is possible for artists to continue to contribute to fighting poverty, job creation and skills development with minimal damage to the earth.
The Minister of Arts and Culture, Mr Paul Mashatile will also launch the Department of Arts and Culture’s new strategy popularly known as Mzansi's Golden Economy (to refer to the arts, culture and heritage sector) alongside COP17. The new strategy highlights the sector’s contribution to economic growth, job creation and social cohesion.
The main events at which the Minister of Arts and Culture, Mr Paul Mashatile will participate are as follows:
29 November 2011
Visit the Street Theatre (Beach Front); Visit the Film Festival (Bat Centre); Launch of Mzansi's Golden Economy (VIP Lounge, CCR Expo)
30 November 2011
Launch the Living Beehive exhibition (Durban Botanical Gardens) and Visit the Jabulisa Street Festival (Green Hub-Blue Lagoon)
Other planned activities include:
- Airport activations - these will be colourful events featuring dance, music and fashion to welcome events
- Giant Elephants and Orange Farm Big Puppets
- Jomba Street Party - this will entail sculpture, dance, poetry, graffiti, arts, music and street theater
- Bags and artworks - these will be curios and mementoes
- ICC décor - works that depict national cultural ethos to be portrayed and projected around the venue
- Mzansi’s Golden Economy Guide - an extensive cultural programme guide
- Children's theatre
- Video Loops at airports and other strategic buildings
- Film festival
- Art exhibition at main accommodation venues
- Dressing of Buildings with contemporary art
- Installations of Tomorrow's Joy-recycled plastic bottle top mosaic
- Beautification of public spaces - reverse graffiti, murals, public arts, schools
Full programme will be placed on http://www.dac.gov.za/ in due course.
Estimated employment opportunities:
- Bags, bibs and bottles: 33 businesses, 4 620 work days
- Visual arts: 2 300 work days
- Performances: 1 250 work days
These figures exclude activations and events funded by third parties. All procurement is from small businesse.
Enquiries and confirmations at attend:
Mack Lewele
Cell: 082 450 5076
Tel: 012 441 3083
