Due to Covid-19 restrictions, the Randfontein Arts and Culture Association (Raca) Eisteddfod will be an online festival and competition this year.

According to Rodney Prins, Raca project manager, they are accepting pre-recorded and live-streamed entries for the 2020 festival.

“We host an annual Eisteddfod to give children a platform to present themselves and we want to keep that alive.

Our vision is to promote the arts in all forms in and around the West Rand community by encouraging the youth to participate and to get involved with art and culture,” said Rodney.

Following strict Covid-19 regulations, the panel of judges will meet and judge each entry after which the winner will be announced on their various online platforms.

He said that he believes this alternative way of entering will be a big success.

“During these uncertain times, we still wanted to give the youth the chance to participate and to receive recognition. This year the competition will be a lot different because the element of performing in front of a live audience is no longer there. ”

They are looking into doing a virtual prize-giving but they hope that they still will be able to host a gala event for the winners when it is safe to do so.

“I hope that the Raca Eisteddfod will stay strong an overcome this hurdle. We pride ourselves in bringing the performing arts to the West Rand, and we are confident that even though we are separated at the moment we are united by the arts,” he added.