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Arts hold SDI festival
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Speeches and Media Releases
 Sports, Arts Culture

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MEDIA RELEASE
 FOR IMMEDIATE USE
 3 APRIL 2001

ARTS HOLD SDI FESTIVAL

The Eastern Cape Department of Sport, Recreation, Arts and Culture urges all cultural workers, crafters, tourists and the Eastern Cape 
community in general to put 6 - 7 April 2001 aside for the Wild Coast SDI Festival. The festival takes place in one of the SDI nodal point-
Port St Johns. It will be directed by one of Umhlobo Wenene’s famous presenters, Saba Mbixane.

The aim is to showcase well-refined productions that portray the artistic and cultural heritage of the province through dramatised story - 
telling, traditional dances, singing and craft exhibitions in a form of interwoven mobile productions.

The Department’s Dirctorate of Arts and Culture has for the last three weeks engaged professional practitioners to conduct a series of 
auditions for suitable artists in the six SDI nodal points, i.e. Willowvale (Dwesa-Cwebe), Elliotdale, Coffebay, Hluleka, Mbotyi and 
Mkhambati as well as Port St Johns. Selected artists from the Willowvale (Dwesa-Cweba); Coffebay; Mbotyi; Port St Johns areas will be 
divided into groups of story - telling, traditional dances, music and crafts identifying talents available and improve them to meet the 
standards of the festival. The Department will produce a booklet with names and details of these groups of artists for the purpose of 
marketing their skills and products. This marketing strategy will be coordinated with the Department of Economic Affairs, Environment and 
Tourism. These local artists will be joined by Stompie Mavi, the Lusanda spiritual group, Slow Foot Brothers and Lord Comforters to boost 
their morale.

The host, Mrs Nosimo Balindlela, the MEC for Sport, Recreation, Arts and Culture will launch the festival at 09h00, Friday, 6th of April. 
Dignitaries who will be attending, include the Deputy Minister of Arts, Culture, Science and Technology, Mrs Brigette Mabandla, who will 
present an input on product production and manufacturing; and Deputy Minister of Finance Mandisi Sipho Mphahlwa who will talk on economic 
development of the festival.

The department firmly believes that the economic development and social upliftment of communities can be advanced through projects such as 
these.

Issued by Department of Sport, Recreation, Art and Culture
 Communications Officer Masiza Mazizi – 040 – 6095870 / 082 378 7847,Fax:040 – 6350 603

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