The Deputy Minister of Arts and Culture, Ms Ntombazana Botha and the Eastern Cape MEC of Sport, Recreation and Arts and Culture, Ms Noxolo Abraham-Ntantiso invite members of the media to the launch of Mdantsane Arts Festival. The Department of Arts and Culture and the Eastern Cape Provincial Department of Sport, Recreation, Arts and Culture will launch the festival as part of government’s youth enrichment and empowerment programme.

It is envisaged that the initiative will significantly contribute to the Presidential Urban Renewal Programme. It will also serve as a vehicle to provide strategic interventions in advancing aspects of governmental programmes such as ASGISA, JIPSA, Social Cohesion and Nation Building.

Deputy Minister Botha will officially launch the festival and unveil the festival logo on 06 December 2008. As a precursor to the launch, the National Film, Video and Sound Archives, a division of the Department of Arts and Culture will screen documentaries in Mdantsane as from 01 -04 December 2008.

The main components of the festival launch include showcases (fashion show, theatre/drama, dance, and music), exhibitions (visual arts, crafts & jewellery) and documentaries.

The launch will take place as follows:

Date: 6 December 2008
Venue: Mdantsane Sports Center
Time: 8:45

Media enquiries: Manzi Vabaza on 082 33 96 083
                              Mpho Matjele on 082 902 7238