The Department of Arts and Culture (DAC) in partnership with the Amathole Municipality and Buffalo City proudly host the 5th Annual Buyel’ekhaya Pan African Music Festival. The festival will take place on Sunday, 21 December 2014 at Buffalo Cricket Stadium in East London.
Buyel’ekhaya is one of various national cultural events supported by the DAC across the country. These include Macufe, Diamond and Dorings Festival, Mapungubwe Arts and Heritage Festival, Joy of Jazz Festival, Cape Town Jazz Festival, etc.
These festivals are part of the department’s Mzansi Golden Economy (MGE) strategy that seeks to position the arts, culture and heritage sector as new gold. MGE will highlight the role and contribution of the sector to the economy through job creation, skills development and opening up business opportunities.
The Minister of Arts & Culture, Nathi Mthethwa said the department will work with the creative sector to ensure that MGE reaches as many and diverse people as possible.
“The MGE strategy is in line with the government priorities of rural development, radical economic transformation and nation building and social cohesion.
“In fact, it has the potential to increase the audience and exposure that each event receives which will in turn increase the number of jobs or income for participants. Few will doubt that MGE will also contribute to tourism growth of the various locations where events and festivals are held across the country including small and rural towns.
“Thus it affords arts, culture and heritage organisations, individuals, events managers, festival organisers, arts directors, amateur and professional organisations opportunities to showcase their talents and contribute to economic growth and job creation,” said Mthethwa.
The Buyel’ekhaya Pan African Music Festival continues to attract local communities as well as holiday makers who celebrate the festive while contributing to the vibrancy of the local economy.
Importantly, the Department of Arts and Culture has been part of the festival since its inception in 2009.
This year’s line up features well known local and international artists such as Stimela, Oliver Mtukudizi, Papa Wemba, Uhuru, Mafikizolo, Zahara, Berita, The Soil, DJ Tira, DJ Ganyani, Csana, Thandokazi, Simphiwe “PS” Peter, Andile Seskhona and Super, amongst others.
Enquiries:
Sandile Memela
E-mail: Sandilem@dac.gov.za
Tel: 012 441 3077
Cell: 082 800 3750
