WATCH: A world of tradition at The Square
In celebration of Heritage Day, the fun-filled family day had a variety of traditional arts and crafts, food, dancing and more.
COMMUNITY members were able to explore a world of tradition at the first Heritage Crafts Market in The Square at the Amanzimtoti CBD, recently.
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The fun-filled event was hosted by the KwaZulu-Natal Department of Sports, Arts and Culture, in collaboration with the Mug & Dine Restaurant, Amanzimtoti Lions and BMW Pinetown and supported by Sapphire Coast Tourism.
Councillor André Beetge said that in applying the department’s guidelines and meeting criteria expectations, subsidies were secured for bona fide crafters and artists, thus ensuring a stable platform for hosting the event that found no less than 40 stalls, traders, crafters and artists displaying their goods for sale on the day.
“As much as the arena events, which included isiZulu, Indian and contemporary interactive dance numbers, and a contingent of the Durban Caledonian Scottish band were entertaining, the local community just did not support the event in their expected numbers,” he said.
Beetge said The Square has changed over the past two years and now boasts a variety of shops.
“Private funding has seen a fence being erected to keep unsavoury characters outside and a jungle gym was installed and is kept neat and tidy while there is free undercover roof parking and security. Municipal funding is being applied to repair sidewalks and walkways,” he said.
Beetge said if the local community does not use and support such and similar events, it will become an unsustainable exercise which could inevitably result in it once again falling to demise.
He expressed his appreciation to all the artists, crafters and traders who supported the multi-cultural heritage event.
“A special word of thanks to Chris Randlehoff from the department, Mug & Dine Restaurant that facilitated the administration, BMW Pinetown for displaying their latest car and bike, Barry Liggins for placing two of his lovely vehicles on display, Sapphire Coast Tourism, Lions Club Amanzimtoti and South Coast SUN that showcased the event as a front-page article,” concluded Beetge.
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