Casino
5 May 2006
Programme Director
MEC for Sport, Arts and Culture
Ladies and gentlemen
It is my absolute pleasure, on behalf of the people of the Northern Cape, to
welcome the cast of our Oscar award-winning, purely South African film,
'Tsotsi', to Kimberley.
As the people of Kimberley and the Northern Cape, we join the rest of the
country and the international world in a salute to the cast of Tsotsi, for
their splendid work and magnificent contribution to the legacy of African
film-making.
Allow me, on behalf of Government, to thank the Flamingo Casino for
affording us this opportunity, to congratulate you personally.
Needless to say, apart from the actors and the film director, there are
thousands of nameless and faceless people who contribute to the realisation of
a film, and to those, we also extend our congratulations and support.
Our talent, as the people of South Africa has been exposed once more, to the
world, and as South Africans we are proud to be affiliated to the cast of
Tsotsi.
Now, this evening, we welcome the two lead actors in the film, Presley
Chweneyagae and Terry Pheto, in Kimberley. We make use of opportunity to urge
young people in Kimberley and the province to follow suit, and attempt to reach
higher standards in the delivery and display of their talent, be it in the arts
or other.
In the Northern Cape, our provincial theatre has been a tool for young
people to find themselves, and display their immense talent to the people of
the province. It is our intention that our actors and actresses from this
province also become visible on the national platform, and represent the
province. I need to point out that the Northern Cape Conservatoire has
performed at the State Theatre and the Market Theatre, with the stage
production called Ambi Sistas. This production has also made appearances at the
National Grahamstown Arts Festival last year.
One of the Ambi Sistas, Jumima Julius, through the support of Mbongeni
Ngema, recorded an album called Nikiziwe. Julius's vocal talent was recognised
by Ngema, which led to the recording of this album, and is evident of the
talent in this province. Recently, the Department of Arts and Culture funded
the Aluta Film Project, to the tune of R500 000, for the development and growth
of local filming.
This ladies and gentlemen, shows Government's commitment to the growth of
the film industry in this province.
In conclusion, we appeal to the business community to partner with
Government in these initiatives, because investment in the film industry, bears
fruit, as the film Tsotsi, has proven. Terry Pheto and Presley Chweneyagae,
thank you for availing your time to come to Kimberley. This allow for the
people of this city to interact with you, as stars of this country representing
us in the international arena.
One again, congratulations! You have done us proud.
Thank you.
Issued by: Office of the Premier, Northern Cape Provincial Government
5 May 2006
Source: Northern Cape Provincial Government (www.northern-cape.gov.za)
