Arts and Culture in the North West province received a boost after the Mmabana Arts, Culture and Sports Foundation received grant sponsorship from the National Lotteries Board.
A chegue of R19,8 million was presented to Premier Supra Mahumapelo at the SABC TV2 -The New Age Business Breakfast held at the Mmabatho Convention Centre in Mahikeng on Thursday.
“We are excited about the funding and recognition of our strength because Arts, Culture and Tourism are the pillars of our economy and upon which of our rebranding, repositioning and renewal strategy should be anchored,” Premier Mahumapelo said.
In expressing confidence that the funding would benefit young people and people with disabilities through targeted projects, the Chief Executive Officer(CEO) of the National Lotteries Board (NLB), Charlotte Mampane said that the NLB is a catalyst for social upliftment and had approved the grant as it met the criterion for job creation, poverty alleviation and youth development.
The jubilant MEC for Arts, Culture and Traditional Affairs, Tebogo Modise said that projects to benefit from the grant sponsorship funding include the Women’s Liberation Monument, Maftown Week Celebration, Sol Plaatjie Exhibition, Taung Calabash, Pottery for the Disabled, Touring Art Exhibition, Children’s Art Competition and Wheelchair Dancing.
The CEO of the Foundation, Moatlhodi Dilotsotlhe assured MEC Modise, Mampane and members of his board that a monthly expenditure audit would be conducted on the allocated funds to ensure accountability and minimise risk.
The boost to tourism was also welcomed by MEC for Tourism, Desbo Mohono who also highlighted the importance of mining tourism.
Premier Mahumapelo is expected to announce other development plans and interventions to address youth unemployment and change the image of the province when he delivers his State of the Province Address from the Mmabatho Convention Centre this morning.
Enquiries:
Sam Mokaila, Spokesperson
Cell : 082 559 7384
Tel : 018 388 1324
Fax : 018 388 3008
E-mail : smttumelo4@gmail.com
