Youths get chance to be creative

THERE were creative arts galore in Mdantsane yesterday as youths from different schools within the second biggest township in the country took part in a local school arts festival.

The Velasikubone School Arts Festival was hosted by Simphiwe Mbha, who is the owner of Masivuyisane Cultural Ensemble, in collaboration with Inganathi Dance Company – which is directed by Buffalo City’s Unathi Xenti.

The festival was started by youth from the community in August last year and has since garnered the support of the municipality, the NU 15 Caltex and Micano bottle store in a bid to give back to the community.

Sikhulule Senior Secondary and J F Mati were among the schools represented while independent groups included Happy Soul, Inganathi Dance Company, Sokhana dance and Culture Beat dance

Ward 12 councillor Gwebile Gosani said yesterday was the final leg of a series of activities which the youth had started last year.

“It's all about showcasing the talent, trying to develop the youth in arts and also, we want to fight crime and decrease the statistics. . . We hope that the event will encourage young people to avoid drugs and prostituting themselves and start engaging in activities that empower them, for a better and brighter future,” Gosani said.

Mbha said the youth got a chance to show their talents in arts, painting, dance, poetry and music: “Those who have performed the best in various categories received medals and trophies. We hoped to expose their talents to possible mentors and to create an environment of creativity, which we accomplished successfully.”—