White River Cultural Hub to promote art

WHITE RIVER – Mpumalanga is undoubtedly rich in various people with so much raw talent, who need a push in the right direction. However, most do not know how to go about unleashing such potential.

Artists in the province can now breathe a sigh of relief, because the Department of Culture, Sport and Recreation will soon give them the most expedient move ever.

The establishment and viability of a Cultural Hub in White River will be the success of not only artists, but everyone else within our beautiful province in so many ways.

According to the department, the hub will also respond to the national plan of Mzansi Golden Economy, which focuses on the development of the arts industry and creating job opportunities.

Mpumalanga News spoke to Ms Sibongile Nkosi, spokesperson for arts and recreation, about this exciting development. “Promotion of arts and culture industries takes centre stage. Investment, job opportunities and economic growth through cultural tourism are also major objectives.

The preservation and celebration of the rich culture and heritage of our province, stimulating creativity and skills development, making Mpumalanga a preferred inland and international tourism destination – such are but some of the benefits we are yet to experience through such a great initiative.”

According to Nkosi, multidisciplinary facilities will be provided, in terms of music and talent development, recordings, vocal training, theatre and platform for showcasing, film, television and video productions, access to film producers and editing, training on-site as well as showcasing films produced in the province through festivals.

“Visual arts and crafts, access to high-tech equipment for training, business skills development and linkage to other markets will also be some of the benefits. It will also have a reasonable capacity to host big festivals,” she further explained.

Although the project is in its infancy, development is expected to start next year all through to 2019.

“Artists are encouraged to continue utilising available opportunities in the province as the department creates platforms in the various events it hosts, and will also continuously coordinate capacity building workshops to ensure that the province has a growing and sustainable creative industry.

“At different levels, artists should continue to build audiences in preparation for the completion and utilisation of the Cultural Hub,” she added. Seeing that this is actually the first of its kind within the province’s reach, artists are encouraged to be thrilled about the project.

“The province does not have a facility of this nature and artists have spoken and expressed a need for this kind of facility and government is delivering on their expectation,” Nkosi concluded.