The Department of Trade and Industry, (the dti) and the Free State Provincial Government hosted an empowerment workshop on Friday, 8 November 2013 in Kroonstad aimed at encouraging the creative industry in the province to formalise themselves. More than sixty artists from surrounding areas attended the workshop.
The purpose of the workshop was to assist members of the creative industry, including musicians, actors, composers, film producers, dancers, poets, and artists to formalise their businesses.
The Director for Strategy and Special Projects at the dti, Ms Busisiwe Ngwenya said government is assisting in educating and creating a conducive environment for all artists to have the same benefits as formal businesses.
“Our creative industry can contribute positively to our economy if they’re given enough support and directed in the right path,” said Ngwenya.
She also said the empowerment workshops for artists have been received positively throughout the country and some of the views in these workshops will form part of the post evaluation report that will be used as a final strategy for the creative industry.
Ngwenya urged artists to take forth the information given to them and stop referring to their craft as “hobbies” and start taking their work serious. Ngwenya said formalisation of businesses by artist will help them in growing their brands and will also assist in access incentives from the dti and other government departments.
Lejwe la Thuso cultural group Chairperson Mr Mosala Khoele said the workshop is a positive step from government in reaching out to artists.
We have been looking for ways to get government involved in our craft and assist in empowering us artists who are passionate about sector. In the past we were not taken seriously and told to look at other means to support ourselves and craft.
The workshop was a right platform for all of us who are here today, said Khoele. Khoele said he appreciated the time they were given to raise their concerns and hope this will not be the last time they are seeing such programmes in the province.
The South African government’s strategy to assist the creative industry is a result of the sector meeting and consultation with the industry that President Jacob Zuma had in November 2009, as well as a subsequent meeting that Deputy MinisterTobias-Pokolo had with artists. In both meetings, numerous problems dogging the industry were raised. These include allegations of mismanagement in the distribution of copyright royalties.
Enquiries:
Sidwell Medupe, Departmental Spokesperson
Tel: 012 394 1650
Cell: 079 492 1774
E-mail: MSMedupe@thedti.gov.za
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