Living Legends elect a capable committee to take forward the Legacy programme
As heritage month celebrations in September draw to a close, the Department of Arts and Culture (DAC) hosted the Living Legends Legacy Programme (LLLP) Workshop to outline the vision of the LLLP programme. The workshop took place yesterday, Tuesday, 29th of September 2015 at the Premier Hotel in Midrand and was attended by renowned artists from all over the country.
Minister Nathi Mthethwa launched Heritage Month towards the end of August with the announcement of the Living Legends Legacy Programme. The workshop was a necessary first step after the launch in order to concretise the programme through engagement with the living legends.
Speaking during the workshop, Acting Arts and Culture Director General, Mr Vuyo Jack, stated that artists, who are 70 years old and older, and have contributed immensely to the country and the world through their art, would be the main beneficiaries of the programme. Mr Vuyo Jack acknowledged that many of these legends had participated in the anti-apartheid activities utilising their art form to conscientise the world about the struggle.
“Legends will organise and control their own organisation,” indicated Mr Jack. He mentioned that the election of peers on an Interim Committee would be facilitated by the Independent Electoral Commission.
During the Workshop, nine members were elected on to an interim committee that will help to oversee and develop the programme.
Elections took place in the following categories: Audio-Visual; Heritage; Education; Literature; music; Theatre; Dance; Visual Arts and Crafts & Design.
The Legends elected are:
- Mr Joe Mafela
- Dr Wally Serote
- Prof Fred Haggeman
- Dr Don Mattera
- Ms Letta Mbulu
- Mr Welcome Msomi
- Ms Adele Blank
- Mr Stompie Manana
- and Mr Peter Magubane
Mr Jack welcomed the results and that a “highly knowledgeable and capable critical mass of artists had been empowered to take the processes further in partnership with the Department.”
“The Interim Committee will operate until the end of March 2016 and will become a Board of Trustees thereafter. They will stay in office for three years after which a new Board will be elected. Minister Mthethwa will choose the Chairperson and Deputy Chairperson from the elected members,” stated Mr Vuyo Jack.
This Programme gives life to the Living Heritage Policy of the Department of Arts and Culture. Implementation of the programme includes the compiling of a Living Legends Inventory.
Various other aspects of the Living Legends Legacy Programme include giving Master-Classes, participating in Incubator Programmes, giving lectures and contributing to artists in schools and artists in residence programmes.
R5 million has been set aside for this Programme until March 2016 and a further R15 million will be earmarked in the next financial year.
The Department is also focused on documenting the life and works of the legends. Books and documentaries are to produced as part of the programme.
The Department of Arts and Culture will assist with the first series of Master-Classes and training and thereafter the Interim Committee and Legends will continue with the work with the required assistance from the Department.
“Further exciting projects are being designed for the Legends in the near future, for example, popularising the Seventeen Global Goals announced by the United Nations recently”, concluded the Acting Director General Vuyo Jack.
Media enquiries:
Lisa Combrinck
Cell: 082 821 4886
E-mail: lisac@dac.gov.za
