Programme director
Honourable Premier
Honoured guests
Ladies and gentlemen
Comrades
It is that time of the year again during which our province presents a formidable programme of arts and culture to the Free State and South African public.
Macufe 2009 is finally here and I have no doubt that our communities have been waiting with bated breath for this popular arts and cultural festival. Undoubtedly, the Mangaung African Cultural Festival (MACUFE) has grown in stature in recent years despite all the challenges encountered in the past. Last year we certainly witnessed the rebirth of this beloved festival. With the 2009 MACUFE edition we are taking the quality of this festival to the next level of growth.
The work regarding preparation for this year’s festival started in earnest several months back. The artists have been secured and all the necessary goods and services are in place.
As the provincial government we have instituted measures to ensure that service providers and artists would have been paid immediately at the end of MACUFE 2009. MACUFE 2009 therefore promises quality and depth as indicated by the following:
* A more consolidated programme which is well packaged in terms of content
* An infusion of international and local artists
* The presentation of a more consolidated brand building on the successes of MACUFE 2008
* Sustenance of financial prudence that was exercised during the 2008 edition; MACUFE 2008 emerged with a clean audit report which speaks to the integrity of the revitalised MACUFE brand
* Sustaining both the cultural and economic developmental aspects of MACUFE in terms of, inter alia, participation of local artists and procurement of goods and services in line with BEE thrust of government.
Programme director, I have no doubt that we will emerge out the 2009 MACUFE edition more confident about the future of this festival. We are gearing ourselves for a more consolidated festival to be the best amongst the best. It must be noted that this festival is already an envy of many festivals in the country. We cannot afford to lower the standard. We must look forward to a programme that maintains quality and promotes the developmental agenda of this government.
I thank you.
Issued by: Department of Sport, Arts, Culture and Recreation, Free State Provincial Government
8 September 2009
