The Department of Sport, Recreation, Arts and Culture in the province of the Eastern Cape convened a meeting involving the Eastern Cape Jazz Association (ECJA) and the Mazwai Communications in order to mediate on a misunderstanding that existed regarding the jazz festivals that will be held on 19 and 20 December in East London.
The ECJA had planned a jazz festival for 19 December, which it had named Home Coming jazz festival and Mazwai Communications is spearheading a festival for 20 December called Buyel'ekhaya Beach Festival.
At a meeting facilitated by office of the MEC the two parties agreed on the following:
* Since the two events are funded by government, they will now continue as one entertainment over two consecutive days, and with separate artists entertaining over these days
* The joint events will now be called Home Coming, Buyel'ekhaya Jazz Festivals which will last from 19 to 20 December.
Talking on behalf of the ECJA, the Chairperson, Mr Aubrey Manuel, appreciated the cooperation and the wealth of music that will be brought to the Eastern Cape on that weekend.
“Home Coming and Buyel'ekhaya mean exactly the same thing. We share the same noble idea of having the artists from the Eastern Cape , who have made a name in the area of music, to come back home during these days and entertain the very people who supported them during their early days in the industry,” said Aubrey.
The Mthatha born Ms Hlubi Mazwai, the Managing Director of Mazwai Communications, said: “I heartily welcome the agreement to have a joint festival as a convergence of ideas to benefit the people of the Eastern Cape. It is truly in the spirit of working together that we have had to find an amicable solution to the confusion.
The two parties agreed to have a joint discussion after the festival, to plan on how this festival can be taken further since the plan is to continue with it as an annual event. The festival features high profile artists as well as the up and coming Eastern Cape artists during both days. The festival will feature the likes of Jimmy Dludlu, Phinda Mtya, Jonas Gwangwa, Letta Mbulu Caiphus Semenya, Thandiswa Mazwai, Sphokazi Maraqana and many more.
Issued by: Department of Sport, Recreation, Arts and Culture, Eastern Cape provincial Government
8 December 2009
Source: Eastern Cape provincial Government (http://www.ecdsrac.gov.za/)
