Arts festival celebrates young, local talent
"Our children were so excited, they stayed off the streets to rehearse. Events like this will definitely lead to positive changes in our community," Prince Massingham.
Creativity, inclusivity and youthful energy were at the core of the mission at the arts festival that was held at the Walter Sisulu Square of Dedication in Kliptown last Sunday.
The Kliptown Open Air Museum (KOAM) partnered with Arts Alive to bring a one-of-a-kind festival to the Kliptown community and its surrounding areas.
The arts festival afforded all non-governmental organisations, dance groups, cultural groups, musicians, poets and percussionists from the immediate community to showcase their talents.
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Residents came out in their numbers to support the groups and soloists who performed. Prince Massingham, who was a part of the organising committee said that the festival was indeed one of a kind.
“Famous and well-known artists are usually the main attractions at these festivals, but at this one, we are celebrating our own youth. We need to show them that they are noticed and that they are important, their talents need to recognised.” said Massingham.
“If they feel included and appreciated, surely they will continue to do good and stay on the right path,” he added.
Many cultural groups were present to showcase their love for their culture. Spiritual dancers, hip-hop dancers and gumboot dancers showcased their dance moves. Owam Kailpa from the Khumal Gumboot Dancers said that the weeks leading up to festival have been exciting.
“My team and I practised every day. We were excited because for once we had something positive to look forward to,” he said.
The festival started at 11 am and performances took place throughout the day. Angela Msimango, a parent who attended the festival said that she hoped the festival could be an annual event.
“Our children were so excited, they stayed off the streets to rehearse. Events like this will definitely lead to positive changes in our community,” she said.
Massingham said that events like these foster healthy social gathering, entertainment and positive interaction.
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