FillUp Mmabatho Stadium was a game changer

FillUpMmabathoStadium was a game changer

By Shuping Sebolecwe

The Department of Arts, Culture, Sports and Recreation (Acsr) would like to express its deepest gratitude and appreciation to the thousands of revellers who descended on our province, our city, to fill up Mmabatho Stadium.

We further like to send our profound words of thankfulness to our important partners and stakeholders with whom we held hands together to make it possible for the event to happen. A special reception was given to our neighbours from Botswana with their own parking and ticketing area.

As Cassper Nyovest himself describes the event, it was a home coming for him after criss-crossing other provinces since 2015. On its sixth year he decided to bring the project to his hometown for the first time.

This was a spectacular event despite the challenges encountered. Undoubtedly, the event is indicative of the importance of arts and culture particularly after the two-year depressing period of Covid -19.

Fill Up is one of the big events supported by Acsr. The concert happens once a year in December, and it was on its second year in the province. Previously it was held at the Royal Bafokeng, in Rustenburg.

Our mandate as the Department has not changed, which is to support arts and culture – with music festivals being just but one of the means.

During the media briefing on behalf of Acsr MEC Kenetswe Mosenogi, Chief Director for arts and culture Thabo Mabe said:  “We support events like the “Fill Up” because they are also economic drivers, They inject millions into the economy, through bookings for accommodation, the transport sector, as well as vendors who sell food through their stalls. It means a lot for local business. “Furthermore, we see events such as these as being more than just for Cassper, but for the young artists as well who will be sharing the stage with Cassper. The benefits are spread across the spectrum.”

As done before with other events like Mahika Mahikeng, a broader socio-economic impact study will be commissioned to assess the impact of the festival on Mahikeng.  What is already known to us is that accommodation in Mahikeng was sold out and revellers had to book for accommodation in neighbouring towns such as Lichtenburg and Zeerust.

MEC Kenetswe Mosenogi was part of the event and to ensure that the event goes accordingly and be accountable for any eventuality.

“We are equally satisfied with the performance, safety and security inside and outside the stadium, the event could not have happened at a better time, said MEC Mosenogi. “We will continue to support the people and create platforms and conducive environment to thrive. We have also seen on different social media platforms that people support, enjoy and look forward to the third edition of Fill Up in the Province next year,” said MEC Mosenogi.

She added that “the Department will continue with its plan to bring back Mmabatho Stadium to its former status. One of the challenges is the destruction of the property by some members of the community who are taking us back”.