Theatre festival brings relief to artists
The first prize winner walked away with R5000.
The recently held Inkundla Theatre Festival served as a relief programme for local artists who were greatly affected by the Covid-19 pandemic, according to the organisers.
The ninth edition of the festival, Cuts ‘The Dry Taps’, was held at the Uvongo Town Hall and was under the production management of Margate Art Museum curator, Siyakudumisa Sotsu.
Sotsu is also the Ugu district chairperson of the Cultural and Creative Industry Federation of South Africa (CCIFSA).
According to Sotsu, the impact of the Covid-19 lockdown regulations led to a dramatic loss of jobs and necessitated the sector’s agility and capacity to embrace the new normal.
“If social isolation denies us the practise and expression of cultural values, norms, and practises within our communities, we have to ask what will come next and what price will we pay? Substance abuse, teenage pregnancy, HIV/Aids, alcohol abuse, poverty, unemployment, etc. These threats undermine the role that young people can play in their societies and country. The future of every country is in its youth hence such an investment in the youth and arts are needed,” he said.
He added that the Inkundla Theatre Festival was a huge success. He said the first prize winner walked away with R5000, adding that the winner was Chosen Stars who had a play titled ‘Under the Mask’ which was written by Zinhle Mazubane and directed by Sinabo Nxumalo.
In second place was newcomer, Quest Production’s ‘Amanzi’ which was written and directed by Thabiso Xaba, saying that Xaba bagged R3 000.
He said the third prize of R2 000 went to Singabantu who had a production titled ‘U FOREMAN’, which was written and directed by Musa Lushaba.
Also, Yamkela Nkosiyaphantsi of Urban Base Production was named the most promising actor during the festival, while Usikelele Ngalo of Grace Production was named the most promising actress. Musa Lushaba of Singabantu was named the most promising director.
“This festival saw professional and emerging artists share a platform for future development of different theatre genres. It included crafts, design, fashion, film, video, photography, music, performing arts, publishing, research and development, software, computer games, electronic publishing, and TV/radio. All of these
are part and parcel of the Ray Nkonyeni Municipality’s Inkundla Theatre Festival. It will also provide relief funds to local artists in the specified genres through competition and give a digital marketing platform as the footage produced will be shared on the municipal website and social media platforms,” he said.
HAVE YOUR SAY
Like the South Coast Fever’s Facebook page
