|
Arts programme
for the launch of the African Union
"Arts and Culture has a significant role to
play in the African Union," says Brigitte
Mabandla, Deputy Minister of Arts, Culture, Science
and Technology. A wide-ranging arts programme is
planned to take place nationally and includes African
Music – ‘The People's Concert’. The concert will
take place at the Sandton Convention Centre in
Johannesburg on 9 July 2002 from 18:00 until 24:00.
Featured are well-known artists from South Africa and
other parts of Africa: Hugh Masekela, Letta Mbuli,
Oliver Mtukudzi (Zimbabwe), Lagbaja (Nigeria), Joyous
Celebration featuring Jabu Hlongwane, Vuyo Mokoena,
Rebecca Malope and a Gospel Orchestra. A ticket cost
R70 and booking is at
Computicket.
The cultural programme also includes theatre and
film festivals, and a special song to commemorate the
launch of the AU has been composed by Caiphus Semenya
and Jonas Gwangwa. Various cultural groups have been
engaged to busk at Durban International. Programme
details follow:
The commemoration song will be launched during the
cultural commemorative parade at the ABSA stadium on 9
July 2002 in Durban. South African artists will
perform the commemoration song at the launch.
Theatre
The following theatre plays will be performed
during the summit at the following playhouses
throughout the country:
- State Theatre: ‘The show is not over until’.
The play has been written by Victor Tablah Hangula, a
Namibian playwright.
- PACOFS: ‘Be ntse relwana’
- ARTSCAPE: ‘Echoes of our footsteps’
- Playhouse:’Zonk'Izizwe’
Film
The
Film Festival
will be launched on 30 June 2002
in Durban at the Playhouse, Grand Foyer. It will focus
on African products. The Festival will commence on 30
June and will run until 6 July 2002. The following
venues will host the Film Festival:
- The Playhouse (Grand Foyer);
- The Playhouse (Drama theatre);
- KwaMuhle Museum; and
- The Workshop.
A mobile unit will also tour to all the Durban
townships, taking the films to the people in rural
areas and townships.
Exhibitions
The DACST is putting up an exhibition on the
history of the OAU at the ICC. The main theme of the
exhibition is the brief history of the OAU leading up
to the adoption of the new initiative - the African
Union.
An exhibition that will showcase traditional
costumes of the Southern African region will also be
on exhibit at the Johannesburg Art Gallery from 30
June to 21 July 2002. The exhibition will include text
and video projection. The costumes will be displayed
in glass cabinets, with photographic and text panels.
Busking
Cultural groups will busk at the Durban
International Airport from 29 June until 7 July 2002.
Busking will also take place at the OAU terminal for
Heads of State as they arrive on 6 and 7 July 2002.
Cultural groups busking include groups from the
Greater St Lucia Wetlands projects and are part of the
DACST poverty alleviation projects. These are the
names of the groups that will perform: K-CAP Alive
Kids (Dance), Pfukani (Scathamiya), Mnqobokazi Animal
Drama, Maskandi (Ntombensila) with ingoma dancers,
Umakheyana and Ibuyile iAfrica (Zulu Dance).
DACST, together with SANDF and SAPS are responsible
for organising a commemorative parade to launch the AU
summit on 9 July 2002. DACST’s role is mainly to
provide cultural activities at the parade. The parade
includes:
- Cape minstrels,
- Amabutho,
- Mass choir performance a flypast (Cheetah,
Helicopters, Boeing),
- Marching bands and a flag display.
For more information please contact Andile Xaba
@ 012 337 8313 / 082 370 5336
Issued by Department of Arts, Culture, Science
and Technology
28 June 2002
|
