Having toiled the dusty streets and villages from other regions, scholars –who oozed confidence -brought their traditional wares; garments and voices at ‘School of Arts’ as Mmabana Mahikeng is renowned for.
It must be pointed out unflinchingly that Mahikeng -is and still continues -to be the mecca of superstars it produces be it nationally or internationally from the arts perspective.
And such developmental programmes are launch pads for the talent I saw nakedly with my eyes.
Some well known artists and musicians are the products of this project that turns ‘culturally’ 21 this year.
Oh, what a talent in abundance we have folks!
Having hosted other auditions in major regions, Dr Kenneth Kaunda District will host the final leg on September 5 at Klerksdorp.
Despite the absence of honchos MEC of arts and culture and CE of Mmabana, the marketing director at Mmabana Trinity Bogosi says they are happy with the progress thus far.
“Despite offering our youngsters the platform to shine and put their province on the international radar, we also give winners money to pursue other businesses that are associated with arts and music, because this is a seasonal job. But that only happens after they’ve completed their studies. ”
“These also help us to monitor their performances after they’ve left our programme,” contined Bogosi, who has a thick history within arts.
This years’ funding has seen improvement although private sector’s input is still an eye-sore.
Last year National Lotteries Commission sponsored eight projects but this year are not sponsoring, a contentious issue for some.
Actor and theatre star Kholofelo Kola, says art is beautiful and is one of the solutions to fight poverty that is crippling our villages and townships.
“This is a message we‘re taking out to our youngsters through such programmes in our province,” he says jovially.
September is Heritage Month, thus expect more at the finals scheduled for Mmabana Taung from September 24 to 27, 2015.
For more information go to: www.mmabana.org.za
