FOCUS Arts and culture
FOCUS Arts and culture to the fore in North West Large audiences flock to awards and festivals. Mmabatho Stadium was packed to capacity for the 2017 Mahika Mahikeng Music and Cultural Festival. With the success of various high-profile national and provincial events hosted by the Department of Culture, Arts and Traditional Affairs (CATA), the North West Province is reclaiming its place as one of the key destinations for arts and culture in the country. These range from end-of-the-year activities such as the Calabash in Taung, Mahika Mahikeng in the capital city, the South African Film and Television Awards (SAFTAs), the South African Music Awards (Samas) and the South African Traditional Music Achievement Awards (Satmas). Most of these events are beamed to the homes and places of entertainment of millions of South Africa via television, giving the province much-needed exposure. They are also events where the crème de la crème of South African entertainment come together to honour and celebrate the finest the country has to offer – in entertainment terms. CATA views the success of these events as its contribution to tourism in the province. “We are proud to say, this year we once again put the province on the map when it comes to high-profile national arts and culture events,” says CATA MEC, Ontlametse Mochware. “The SAMAS, SAFTAs, SATMAS, the Calabash and Mahika Mahikeng are national events. As anticipated, these events brought thousands of visitors from across the country including our neighbouring country Botswana, who enjoyed the warmth and splendour of the North West Province.” The events turn the province into a hive of activity when they take place, bringing a welcome buzz from revellers and stars, ranging from movie and television personalities, to jazz legends and traditional music sensations. Libraries among the best When it comes to technology and accessibility, all the libraries built by CATA in recent years are geared to be in touch with modern times – especially when it comes to technology. An overwhelming number of these library facilities are in rural areas, in line with the developmental thrusts of the Provincial Government. In a boost to service delivery, not only are these libraries equipped with good-quality furniture, but they also boast modern services such as the Internet and facilities for the visually-impaired. Students can NORTH WEST BUSINESS 2019 18
FOCUS North West Provincial Government access books and the Internet to enhance the quality of their projects while entrepreneurs can get onto the web to access tenders and other business opportunities. Toy libraries, which are a section of the bigger building, help the young ones to learn as they play. This development closes the technological gap between rural and urban communities. One example is that of 17-year-old Boineelo Moema from Itsoseng, who is a shining example to her peers at high school on the value of our community libraries. “Whatever information I need for my school projects I go to the local library and get whatever information I need either through books or Internet,” she says. “I am happy about the services the local library offers and my vocabulary has improved.” To date, CATA has built more than a hundred libraries spread across the length and breadth of the province. The department has committed itself to supporting the ideals of the Library and Information Association of South Africa (LIASA) when it says: “By providing access to information, libraries support communities in their exploring and challenging of barriers, values and behaviours as these relate to social inclusion. Furthermore, libraries engage communities on matters of social importance.” 19 NORTH WEST BUSINESS 2019
