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Speech at the Transnet  Eastern Cape All Stars Jazz  Festival
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Speeches and Media Releases
 Sports, Arts Culture

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 EASTERN CAPE PROVINCIAL GOVERNMENT
 SPEECH BY MR MAX MAMASE, ACTING MEC FOR DEPARTMENT OF SPORTS, ARTS AND CULTURE
 AT THE TRANSNET EASTERN CAPE ALL STARS JAZZ FESTIVAL, GRAHAMSTOWN
 30 JUNE 2000



1.INTRODUCTION

Master of Ceremonies, Ladies and Gentleman, as the people of the Eastern Cape, we have much to be proud of. One such area of pride must be 
our cultural heritage - the spirit of our being is as old as the mountains; as wise as the cattle herder and as big an Eastern Cape 
sunset.When the cow horn blows its mournful dirge, and we are reminded of “Yakhal’inkomo”, it is a sound that gives meaning to centuries of 
people who have created and recreated themselves in the shadow of the great mountains.Our heritage is our umbilical cord linking us to our 
past, and taking us into our future, and thus we at times pause and take stock of what we have.

While taking stock as a Province, we have come to realise that we have the most influential, far-reaching and dynamic ambassadors for this 
Province.Ambassadors whom we have never acknowledged actively, but whom we now wish to pay tribute to.These silent figures march on, 
against all odds, to bring acclaim to our Province.They blow on their trumpets, and through their saxophones, by picking on their guitars 
the sounds of “Yakhal’inkomo”, the sound of the Eastern Cape.

They all once woke up to the rural sound of rooks announcing daylight.They herded cattle through the grasslands of the Transkei and 
wondered through the dusty streets of New Brighton.To these ambassadors, this is home.It is home even when the wide world has become, in 
reality, their cultural village.When Feya Faku is not able to be part of the ensemble, because he has a performance in Cuba, and as Zim 
Ngqawana crosses the continents, and Andile Yenana accompanies the best in the country to the best in the world, even then, this, the 
Eastern Cape, is home.

And today, to us from home, to you who have stretched your wings beyond the eastern skies, we salute you, the jazz stars of the Eastern 
Cape.Wherever you go, you are the living cultural heritage of your people and your Province. government of the Eastern Cape, representing 
all our people, take stock of our heritage, and pause to pay tribute to you, the jazz greats of our Province.We remember and honour both 
the legends and ones in the making.We will now take roll call of you.But we call on all of us to remember those like the Dudu Pukwana’s who 
came before you, and those who will most certainly come after you.In this Big Jazz Band of the Eastern Cape Stars is the penny whistle jive 
of the fifties and the raw township saxophone of the nineties.The Department of Sport, Arts and Culture in the Province of the Eastern Cape 
is proud to have been part of bringing together this esteemed line up of jazz stars, the sons of the soil.

2.PARTNERSHIP WITH THE PRIVATE SECTOR

The partnership between the Department of Sport, Recreation, Arts and Culture and Transnet is of great value, and holds much 
promise.Through such partnerships we are able to harness our resources and effect delivery of this magnitude.Bringing together this 
formidable group of musicians performing this evening is no mean task, but our collective strength makes ventures of this nature more 
possible

3.THE SIGNIFICANCE OF MUSIC INDUSTRY

Research findings reflect that the South African Music Industry is a vibrant and growing sector of the economy.We learn that it grew in 
value by 70.7% between 1992 - 1996, making it the 23rd fastest growing music market in the world.The gross turnover of the South African 
Industry in 1995 was approximately R900 million.It is estimated that the industry is worth around R2 billion and employs approximately 
12,000 people.(Report by the Cultural Strategy Group July 1998).

There are benefits within the South African markets that can be enjoyed by musicians of the Eastern Cape.

The challenge that faces us all is how to ensure that this becomes the reality that we all look forward to.

4.CREATING A FAVOURABLE ENVIRONMENT

The Legislature has recently passed the Eastern Cape Provincial Arts and Culture Council Act.This piece of legislation seeks to promote, 
monitor and foster the development of arts and culture in general, and the Music Industry in particular.

The juristic person created by this act will have the responsibility of advising the MEC on matters pertaining to arts and culture, and 
provide short, medium and long term funding to arts and culture groups, programmes and individuals.

5.CULTURAL INDUSTRIES GROWTH STRATEGY

Master of Ceremonies, Ladies and Gentlemen, our Province faces a vast range of challenges.

The high levels of unemployment require us to develop strategies that will make arts and culture contribute towards the economic 
development and upliftment of our communities.

It is against this background that our Government has initiated the Cultural Industries Growth Strategy, which seeks to develop to the full 
the music industry.

We all know the great potential jazz music has in the Province of the Eastern Cape.Together we have the responsibility to ensure that this 
potential is realized.

Through our involvement in this festival, and all the areas, which I have addressed this evening, we, the Department of Sport, Recreation, 
Arts and Culture seek to remedy the sad situation of talented artists leaving our Province for Gauteng and the Western Cape.

6.CONCLUSION

Master of Ceremonies, Ladies and Gentlemen, with these few remarks, I wish to congratulate TRANSNET and the Department of Sport, 
Recreation, Arts and Culture for successfully organising this event.

For those who come from within the Province, thank you for your support, for those who come from beyond the borders of the Province, 
welcome to the friendly Province of the Eastern Cape.

Together we can!

Sisonke Sinako!

I thank you.

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