A golden opportunity missed by media and Mahikeng community.
The arts sector and the community at large also missed
out on receiving information about the opportunities and economic spin-offs
that come with hosting Mahika Mahikeng in their own backyard. This event has
not been staged for three years, against the backdrop of an already fragile
economy the COVID-19 pandemic has created - affecting the arts sector
negatively.
A satisfactory number of media houses, including media
from Botswana, responded positively to the invitation to the media briefing. We
would like to apologise profusely to the media that attended, for the
inconvenience caused. The disruption happens despite MEC Kenetswe Mosenogi
having met with more than six hundred community members and artists during the
Imbizo at Mmabatho Convention Centre on February 23. Apart from artists booked for the main event, the
Department amplified the activation plan by creating platforms in all the four
districts whereupon up-and-coming artists will get an opportunity to perform,
for a fee. Facilities such as stage and sound will also be procured locally
where activations are happening.
Disruptions of this nature do not only affect
government plans to roll out service delivery but also disadvantage ordinary
hawkers from benefitting from the event. These are people who run food stalls
at events.
We urge our communities to find better ways and means
of raising their concerns.
Issued by: Department of Arts,
Culture, Sports and Recreation
Media Enquiries: Shuping Sebolecwe (083 302 6318)
Comments
Post a Comment