Tembisa-based, Tswelopele Performing Artists in partnership with Ekurhuleni Department of Arts, Culture and Heritage, office of the Gauteng MEC for Sport, Arts, Culture and Recreation and Bakone Royal Council, announced that the first International Arts Festival will be hosted in Tembisa.

Tswelopele Performing Artists led by the international acclaimed theatre practitioner and television actor, Oupa Malatjie, will host the Uxhumano Intercultural Exchange Arts Festival from June 25 to July 1.

The festival will be held at Moses Molelekwa Art Centre in Tembisa with an opening event to take place on June 27 at the centre.

According to Malatjie, the event will boast the presence of the Gauteng MEC for Sport, Arts, Culture and Recreation; the executive mayor of Ekurhuleni, Clr Mzwandile Masina and a senior liaison officer from the Ministry of Culture from Seychelles Island as well as Ward Mailliard from California.

“Uxhumano Arts Festival will showcase a diverse network of learners, organisations and individuals from around the world who are using performing arts for the exchange, development and implementation of new ideas,” said Malatjie.

Malatjie said the aim is to use the event not only as an opportunity to speed up growth and development, but also to market Ekurhuleni, Gauteng province and SA to the world. It will be used as a spring board to sell the country’s stories, traditions, cultures, artistic work and history.

“The event will also commemorate Youth Month while celebrating the 60th anniversary of Tembisa (1957 to 2017).

“The project will equip young people with knowledge and the tools to take advantage of the opportunity to showcase their indigenous talent, resources and products. It will expose young people to different cultures. Interacting with people from different cultures is the most powerful way of promoting international understanding and peace,” added Malatjie.

Among the artists to perform are Tswelopele Performing Artists, Moses Taiwa Molelekwa Art Foundation, Tanmi Productions from Seychelles Island, Mount Madonna School from California, Tembisa Revolution, Qwathikazi@Ntinga Jazz Band, local kwaito group Anaconda, Intokozo Theatre Production, Searching For Lwethu, Umzekelo Cultural Organisation and the Bushbuckridge based Momathema Cultural Music Group known for its hit O Tlokweng.

No entry fee is required.

For more information and the festival schedule, contact Malatjie at 083 486 6790, Jabulani Fani at 078 245 8339 or Sibusiso Tela at 073 607 3607.

Man lives by his art