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Masincazelane Arts and Craft Exhibition at Grahamstown
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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 MASINCAZELANE ARTS AND CRAFTS EXHIBITION, GRAHAMSTOWN
30 JUNE 2000



Master of Ceremonies,
Our guest artist Mr Hillary Graham,
 Honoured guests,
Ladies and Gentlemen,
 Project organisers

I am humbled by your invitation to address you on the opening of the Eastern Cape exhibition on visual arts and crafts.

The theme of the Exhibition: Masincazelane

I have noted with appreciation that you have chosen to introduce the theme of Masincazelane as you expose a sample of our Provinces 
art.I hope members of the public and the artists will be able to find the deep meaning of this theme during this Festival period and most 
importantly in the day-to-day promotion of the arts, long after this Festival.

This exhibition is about sharing, understanding our rich cultural diversity and our working together for a better future!It is about 
togetherness, not isolation. About the collective rather than the individual.In Ethiopia they say, a single stick may smoke, but it will 
not burn.

A frequently used economic axiom states that one plus one is three.One can expect that coming from economists, they never could count 
anyway! But closer inspection will reveal an absolute truth in this maxim.It teaches us that together we are more than our individual worth 
separated. This synergy, much talked about in economics, applies equally in the arts.

The Eastern Cape artists have combined their energies in this exhibition.Combination, however, does not imply that we abandon artistic 
excellence, individuality, and uniqueness or compromise our standards.It is aimed at strengthening the efforts of individuals and groups.It 
accommodates a diverse range of cultural products, each with its own place, with its own voice.The depth and range of our cultural 
production is what puts us here in the Eastern Cape above the rest.Of course&#133; we are above the rest in many respects!

Masincazelane is also about artists working together in making the African Renaissance a reality. Our artworks and cultural activities 
should contribute towards the restoration of human dignity.We have experienced a difficult past in South Africa and cultural workers can 
play a meaningful role restoring the dignity of African people, in particular.

Centuries of colonial domination created a myth that Africans were primitive, bloodthirsty savages who achieved nothing of note and had 
nothing that could be construed as a meaningful contribution to the development of human kind.Our government seeks to provide a tool for 
truly balancing the scales again:

* For rediscovering neglected and marginalised cultures
* For recapturing neglected traditions, customs, crafts and arts
* For reinterpreting our history
* For rediscovery of African achievements and values
* For restoring a pride and dignity to our people
* For shaping an identity that will take us forward to a better life for all!

The Eastern Cape Governments commitment to the Arts

Through the Department of Sport, Recreation, Arts and Culture, the Eastern Cape Government continues to deploy its human and material 
resources towards the creation of a favorable environment for the development of visual arts and crafts.The Provincial legislature has 
recently passed the Eastern Cape Provincial Arts and Culture Council (ECPACC) Bill.This piece of legislation seeks to commit government on 
funding to arts and culture projects and groups.This is good news for the Arts!

Indigenous crafts, painting, sculpture, clothing, fashion and graphic arts are some of the sectors that are earmarked for development by 
the Department.Communities and groups are therefore invited to submit to the ECPACC, funding proposals for assistance in key areas such as: 
-

Product development, quality control, pricing and marketing of art works

* Cultural facilities
* Cultural tourism
* Organizational development and capacity building
* Development of business plans

We hope that artists will make use of these opportunities to maximize the economic benefits that could be derived from arts and culture.

In conclusion,

Master of Ceremonies, Ladies and Gentlemen, the works of art that adorn this hall today, originate from various centres of the Province, 
from the East Kei River through the Mid Karoo to the Western Region. They are a culmination of hard work by the officers of the Department 
and the wonderful artists of our Province.

These are fruits of days, weeks and months of hard labour, by men and women of our province, whose love for beauty and creativity, urged 
them to produce the beautiful artefacts, which are not only appealing to eye, but also challenge and stimulate our thinking and our 
worldview.

I wish to, on behalf of the Department of Sport, Arts and Culture, congratulate the organisers of this exhibition and the participating 
artists.To those who come from beyond the borders of the Province, welcome to the friendly Province of the Eastern Cape.The exhibition is 
open for viewing until the end of the Festival.

I Thank you.

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