Enjoy great entertainment for a good cause

Lusito Land, one of Johannesburg’s oldest festivals, hopes that 2015 is a bumper year of fund-raising for the Lusito School for the Physically and Mentally Challenged.

The 34-year-old festival has donated proceeds to the school since its inception in 1981, has grown substantially and sustained the top facility that caters for differently abled individuals from across Johannesburg.

“It takes a substantial amount of funds to run a school such as the Lusito School and we are reliant on the revenue earned from the Lusito Land Festival to maintain, grow and sustain the facilities,” said Naomi Contente, the spokesman for the Lusito Association.

“It is important to us that the public is aware that by attending the festival, they are doing so for the purpose of enhancing the lives of mentally and physically challenged people.”

The Lusito School, located in the south of Johannesburg, started off as a small day care centre and has developed into a fully-fledged school with more than 70 pupils.

The parents of the students are also offered invaluable support.

They are kept up-to-date with their children’s progress and the teachers are available for consultation and guidance.

Presently, the school cares for individuals with cerebral palsy, learning disabilities, traumatic brain injury, Down’s Syndrome and other syndromes.

Lusito Land was originally a festival that celebrated the Portuguese tradition and culture.

Over the last three decades, it has evolved into a festival celebrated by the many cultures that make up Johannesburg and Gauteng.

The Portuguese tradition has, however, been sustained in the wonderful traditional flavours of the fine cuisine that is an important facet of the Portuguese heritage.

The festival will have a host of artists performing, including Mi Casa, Rubber Duc, Bobby van Jaarsveld and Dr Victor and the Rasta Rebels.

Lusito Land takes place at Wemmer Pan, in Pioneers Park, on the corner of 11th Street and Turf Road, La Rochelle, from April 24 to May 3.

It is open from 5pm to 10pm on weekdays, 10am to 11pm on weekends and public holidays and 10am to 7pm on Sunday, May 3.