MBOMBELA – The Department of Sport, Culture and Recreation (DSCR) has come on board as the main sponsor of the cultural carnival, adding an extra R1 million to its sponsorship this year.
The event, which will commence at 10:00 from the city centre and end at Lowveld High School, just over three kilometres later, will not only see colourful cultural displays and groups parading but also magnificent floats, drum majorettes, giant puppets, Harley bikers, vintage cars, stilt walkers and clowns. Many schools will also take part in the parade with colourful costumes and acts. Stand along these routes to see the parade in all its glory or join in if you are up for the walk.
Although the DSCR has been a sponsor of the festival for 12 years, the funds have mostly contributed to the visual arts, providing infrastructure for the festival stages and promoting indigenous arts and crafts from the province.
Also read: ‘All are welcome at Innibos’
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Ms Sibongile Nkosi, spokesman for the department, said that part of the government’s mandate is to promote social cohesion among the community.
“We see that Innibos unites people in the province through the arts. There is also a positive economic spin-off that benefits many sectors of society, including the local guest houses and hotels, small businesses and our extended public works programmes that empower locals through arts and crafts. We would like this extra funding to be used specifically for the opening carnival, as we want to see the participation of additional cultural groups in the festival.” Nkosi said.
Innibos Festival manager, Mr Andy Lubbe, agreed that the arts festival has an objective to promote arts and culture, provide an economic stimulus to the Lowveld and promote social cohesion.
“This additional sponsorship provides the festival with an opportunity to establish a firm and visual statement that Innibos is a signature event in the province, benefiting all the people of this area,” Lubbe said.
The Innibos National Arts Festival takes place in Mbombela from June 29 to July 2. The programme showcases 27 theatre productions and a vibrant festival terrain with music, art and craft stalls and varied food options.
