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News - Date: 01 April 2005
THOHOYANDOU – Limpopo’s MEC for Arts, Sports and Culture, Mr Joe Maswanganyi, officially launched the 2005 Limpopo Arts and Culture Vhembe District Annual Festival at Thohoyandou last Thursday.
The festival, which is facilitated by the Tinkawu Theatre Laboratory, aligns itself with the objectives of Vhembe Ditsrict towards improving the quality of people’s lives and creating economic opportunities for the community. It also intends to expose and honour artistic achievement in the Vhembe District and to create a platform for arts and cultural activities annually that will be beneficial to society with the major aim of reviving and awakening the artistic gifts of the local community.
The festival ran from 24 to 28 March in different venues and its focus was on contemporary dance, theatre, traditional dance, choral music, a live band and jazz festival, craft/visual arts activities and literature sessions.
When officially opening the festival, Maswanganyi said it is important to preserve culture as it builds permanent responsibility and a clear understanding of history. He said arts have been used in many societies as a communication tool for many topics that need to be addressed. “This festival will create a platform for sharing and exposing the talents of our local groups and it will also help to preserve our culture. It is very important to teach our communities to be proud of their own culture and I believe this festival will be a giant step towards building our own cultural identity,” he said.
The groups that performed during the official opening of the festival included the Bono Traditional Dancers, Virtuoso Choir, Mbahela Malombo Dance, Caravan Dance Group, and Magagasi a Ha Madodonga.
Other activities that took place during the festival included a live band music show at the Makhado Show Grounds which featured, among others, Colbert Mukwevho, Vuyo Mokoena, Rapson Rambuwani and Lucia Hlabangwani. A children’s festival took place at Makwarela Hall and there was a Craft/Literature Exhibition at Tusk Venda Hotel. A jazz festival took place at the Mphephu Resort on Sat-urday, which featured Ray Phiri and Stimela, Elfas and Simba, Mzwakhe Mbuli, Muzika wa Makhado Buddy Masango and Kwela Tebza. A choral music festival also took place at the University of Venda Auditorium on Sunday.
The Director of the festival, Ms Mavhungu Luruli, thanked all the stakeholders who made the festival successful. She conveyed her sincere gratitude to the sponsors, the National Lottery, Old Mutual, Thohoyandou Spar, Univen Radio, Vhembe District Municiaplity, De Beers Venetia Mine, and Coca-Cola.
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