2010 World Cup related arts and culture projects
The department is pleased to announce that it has funded 21 world cup related arts and culture projects to the tune of R59 million. The applications for funding were received from provinces, host cities, cultural institutions as well as the general public and artists.
We believe the projects will go a long way in our national effort to fast-track job creation and rural development. A further R127 million has been set aside to fund 29 infrastructure development projects which will be promoted as 2010 legacy projects for Arts and Culture.
My 2010 project
We have also ensured that our children were also not left behind. The
Departments of Arts and Culture, Sport and Recreation and Education joined forces in a national campaign to mobilise learners for the world cup.
The campaign culminated in the national finals on 1 May 2010 at the Cultural History Museum in Pretoria. The competition raised awareness amongst learners of the importance of hosting the World Cup. The campaign was made possible with the generous support of Adidas
Fly the Flag for Football campaign
In order to promote patriotism and our national identity, the department has partnered with the International Marketing Council (IMC) to intensify our Fly the Flag for Football campaign.
While the campaign is centred on increasing enthusiasm about the 2010 World Cup, it has presented a unique opportunity to educate people about the protocols of the flag and the national anthem.
The Department of Arts and Culture has earmarked 22 special projects around the country for funding across various mediums that will help to grow cultural awareness in South Africa.
With the 2010 FIFA World Cup just a matter of days away, many of the projects will expose foreign visitors to the delights, sounds and textures of South Africa, but the majority have long-term goals and impact well beyond the tournament.
We are also providing opportunities for those in the city and rural areas to further their careers, and even create their own small businesses. It is important that those involved in the projects get the benefit of their efforts.
We have chosen a wide, diverse selection of projects to fund and are proud to be associated with these initiatives that showcase the talent and ingenuity of South Africans. The Department of Arts and Culture is delighted to be part of this exciting moment in our country and will be following the progress of the various projects with keen interest.
Tap Roots
This is a fusion of different cultures expressed through a vibrant musical show. Tap dance will be the main dance style used. The project aims to highlight the splendour of the South African cultural landscape. The Composer and Musical Director is a Young Artist Award winner, Victor
Masondo and the choreographer is Thabo Masondo.
The Rivonia Trial
The Rivonia Trial which is a story that will follow the trial through the eyes of the ten cadres of UMkhonto We Sizwe who faced charges of sabotage. These included Nelson Mandela, Walter Sisulu, Govan Mbeki, Dennis Goldberg, Ahmed Kathrada, Elias Motsoaledi, Andrew Mlangeni, Lionel Bernstein, Raymond Mhlaba, and James Kantor.
The story's point of view will be told from a journalist who will be our eyes and ears in the courtroom and outside. This production aims to provide our audience with a window of opportunity to get an understanding of the experience that these individuals went through.
Mzansi Sing tribute to Oliver Tambo
The aim of the production is to showcase our arts, culture and music in all its nuances and textures, giving an international community the opportunity and pleasure of appreciating and developing an understanding for the way in which music forms an important part of our history, reflecting our socio-political and economic antecedents.
The experience and expertise of musicians and artists who have amassed over 100 years in the arts culture and music industry locally and internationally will be on display.
For this production original choral melodies are rearranged by Mr Ntoni, he has merged these with township jazz and created a contemporary sound from these choral classics for an ensemble consisting of an 18 piece big band, 20 voices, and a 10 piece string ensemble. Mr Ntoni further incorporated some of his original compositions.
Ma-Brrr, The Musical
Ma-Brrrrr is a journey through the life and times, the highs and lows, the happy and the sad moments, the heartbeat and the pulse of Brenda Fassie. Different eras in her story and major milestones are reflected by the particular music, the (period) costumes and the dance.
As would be characteristic in a documentary, the narration or storytelling is an intrinsic element of this journey. There is use of a live band is on stage which also becomes part of the characters.
Ditšhaba Performance and Craft hub
Project aims to establish public viewing areas in the rural areas of the North West province. The public viewing areas will include screening of the matches, performing artists, Craft Exhibitions and local vendors.
Rural Communities, Townships and Schools programme
Four theatre productions, Mantolo, The Tenth Step, Woza Albert, The Girls in their Sunday Dresses and Egoli will be packaged and staged at selected rural districts of North West and Limpopo provinces. This project will provide a first of South African theatre to those communities who otherwise would never have an opportunity to witness professional theatre.
The additional benefit is the dissemination of knowledge through performing arts workshops and advocacy in these communities.
Mapungubwe Arts Festival
A snippet of this annual festival will be presented during the 2010 World Cup. The festival will showcase artistic expertise of the Limpopo province and the neighbouring countries through plays, drama, choral, gospel and jazz festivals. The event will be held for a week in June 2010. This is intended to create opportunities for both visual and performing artists.
Wild Coast SDI Festival
The challenge of poverty remains on top of government's priorities. This project is intended to be a catalyst for poverty reduction in the communities residing in the eastern coastal belt of the Eastern Cape. This is the area that is nationally regarded populated by some of the poorest people of South Africa.
The festival will consist of the activities such as visual arts and craft exhibitions and sale, cultural or indigenous dance, music, drama and poetry. It will be based in Port St Johns but will benefit areas such as Mbizana, Lusikisiki, Mqanduli, Ngqeleni and Willowvale.
Ubuntu Abande Ebantwini
The project is a community empowerment programme designed to curb social ills through the spread of Ubuntu targeting mainly the remote rural and disadvantaged villages. A cultural village will be created from 11 to 13 June at Empangeni, Obuka in Ntambanana District where traditional dancers and singer will come together to share each other’s cultures.
In Conversation with Luthuli and Mandela, museum exhibition
Nelson Mandela National Museum in Mthatha and Luthuli Museum in
Groutville are collaborating on developing a flagship multi-media project that explores the legacy and the social histories of these two extraordinary leaders of our people.
CDs, website, audio and listening packs, interactive touch screen terminals, education materials and newspaper supplements for educators and learners will be developed through the project. We believe that the project will assist preserve the priceless legacy of the Mandela and Luthuli.
The African Experience Soccer Lounge
The project proposes an alternative for fans that do not wish or are unable to participate in any stadium activity but instead enjoy the games in a sophisticated, beautiful and homely atmosphere.
The African Experience is an authentically African themed sport leisure lounge conceptualised by world acclaimed musician and activist Letta Mbulu. The space will blend eclectic African art and design with a rich music and dance that has always been part of the African culture.
Craft development: Tsa Setso
Crafters will be selected from all regions of the Free State and their products will be packaged and exhibited in three public viewing Areas namely Phakisa Race Course in Welkom, Ou Presidency Museum in Bloemfontein and in Bethlehem.
The Windybrow 2010 Special programme
To enhance attempts to make the 2010 World Cup a truly African tournament, the Windybrow will for the duration of this prestigious event, put up activities that will encompass artists from selected countries in the continent.
This is a stepping stone towards establishing the theatre as a Pan African performance centre.
Fly the Flag and Sing the National Song campaign
This is a campaign aimed at strengthening the national efforts and the Department of Arts and Culture's drive to popularise and safeguard the national symbols. 999 Music will engage in road shows in the Gauteng area at public spaces like taxi ranks and shopping malls to educate and entertain those gathered on the correct ways of hoisting our flag as well as the singing of the national anthem.
The Africa Show
This is a multicultural fashion and fabric show which will be put up at the Welcome Village in Ekurhuleni. The idea is to promote the dynamic South African designs and cultural dress. The idea of the project is to educate, showcase and entertain.
Newtown Music programme
We will stage a late night programme in the main theatre of the Market Theatre, consisting of music, DJs, concerts stand-up comedy and performance. The project is due to the fact that it would not be possible to run conventional theatre at the Market since the Mary Fitzgerald Square will become a public viewing area.
Public viewing areas
The department continues to strengthen its mandate of safeguarding and popularising the national symbols through the support of campaigns such as Fly the Flag and sing the national song. It further opens opportunities for communities in rural areas to feel part of the tournament through the support of public viewing areas such as one Nongoma, kwaGQakaza stadium and in Umthatha, Sothernwood.
Capital Expenditure projects
These are projects that are intended to serve as the legacy of the 2010 World Cup to our people. They will continue to exist beyond the period of the tournament. They are as follows:
Opening and closing ceremonies
In 2009 we put together a spectacular artistic programme for the historic world cup final draw. We are happy to announce that we have contributed R40 million for the cultural programmes of both the opening and closing ceremonies.
Business of craft, 2010 and beyond
This is a project to assist 43 craft enterprises in the province to have market driven products ready for 2010 as well as direct access to the 2010 international market and beyond. A craft village will be set up in the Nelspruit Fan Park and will operate for the duration of the tournament.
KwaZulu-Natal Heritage and Cultural Extravaganza
This project will focus on unearthing talent in indigenous music and dance. We will host competitions and select best performers in the province.
Dimbaza Craft Hub
This is a skills development, craft production and market project.
Products will include leatherworks, clothing, woodwork and ceramics.
Capital expenditure projects and budgets
Province
* Eastern Cape
Opera House renovations: R21.490 million
Ingquza Hills Arts Centre: R15 million
Eastern Cape community arts centres refurbishment, equipments and materials (16 community arts centres): R11.500 million
* Free State
Provincial department proposal; upgrading of three existing arts and culture centres (Welkom, Sasolburg and Thaba Nchu): R15 million
Development of the Winnie Mandela museum in Brandford: R5 million
Development of the craft emporium in Bloemfontein: R5 million
* Limpopo
Provincial proposal; the construction of Muyexe Community Library,
Arts and Culture Centre: R33 million
* Northern Cape
Provincial department Project; upgrading of the Northern Cape Theatre: R12 million.
R10 million also set aside for public viewing areas which will be converted into community cinemas that will serve beyond 2010.
Total budget: R127.5 million
I believe that with all these plans, our local and international will have an experience of their lives. I wish to wish our team, Bafana Bafana well in this important task. They carry the hopes of the entire nation and I call upon all of us to encourage and support them.
History has proved that tournaments such as this are more successful when the host nation advances to later stages of the competition. As South Africans, we have a responsibility to support our team and also be good hosts for our guests.
As the arts, culture and heritage sector, we are ready to play our part. Cabinet has taken a decision to support the 2010 World Cup and all related activities including the kick-off concert.
Subsequent to my intervention working together with the artists' union, I believe that the Local Organising Committee (LOC) and FIFA made significant improvements by improving the number of South African artists in the kick-off concert line-up.
Let us support Bafana-Bafana and the rest of African teams participating in the tournament. Feel it! It is here!
Thank you.
Enquiries:
Mack Lewele
Cell: 082 450 5076
Lisa Combrinck
Cell: 082 821 4886
Issued by: Department of Arts and Culture
3 June 2010
