THE Wentworth Arts and Culture Organisation closed off its 2025 calendar on a high note with an evening celebrating diversity, creativity and youth development, with the 4th Durban Inclusivity Arts Festival, which took place on November 29, and the 18th Dance Movement Production, on December 6.

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The two events aimed to highlight the organisation’s commitment to providing a platform for artists living with disabilities and talented young dancers within the community.

Jarryd Watson, artistic director for Dance Movement, said the festivals brought together a wide spectrum of performers showcasing the true meaning of inclusion.

“There were a diverse range of items on the programmes, including performances from people living with various disabilities, those who are wheelchair-bound, visually impaired, as well as children and youth aged 5 to 24 who performed hip hop, contemporary, amapiano, jazz and RnB,” he said.

According to Watson, the main motivator for starting the Durban Inclusivity Arts Festival is to show that dance is not exclusive but rather universal, reachable and inclusive.

“It is about showing that people living with disabilities are also able to perform in a mainstream production and able to offer audiences new things they may not have seen,” said Watson.

The 18th edition of the Dance Movement production also shone a spotlight on the schools in the Durban South with the Kids for Kids Arts Alive Project, a programme that aims to uplift young learners through the arts. The project featured performances from the various schools, including Austerville Primary School, Brighton Beach Senior Primary School, Bushlands Primary School, Collingwood Primary School and Fynnland Primary School.

After weeks of preparation and well-executed performances, the eventual winner was Fynnland Primary School, followed by Brighton Beach Senior Primary School in second and Collingwood Primary School in third.

The top schools were awarded cash prizes by the Wentworth Arts and Culture Organisation as a token of appreciation.

Watson expressed his gratitude to everyone involved in making both festivals a smashing success and a positive reminder about the non-profit’s good work.

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