OR Tambo festival a platform for local talent

The town of Mthatha came to a standstill at the weekend as celebrations for the second annual O R Tambo Cultural Festival started on Friday evening.

National comedians Ntosh Madlingozi and crowd favourite Ndumiso Lindi entertained hundreds of patrons at the Nelson Mandela Museum.

O R Tambo district municipality spokesperson Ayongezwa Lungisa said they only brought in two national comedians because they wanted to give local comedians a chance to showcase their talent.

“Our local guys did a great job as they did not waste the opportunity to make their mark.

“We were extremely pleased with the turnout. We were only expecting 450 people, but in the end had to show away hundreds of people because we could not accommodate them in the venue,” he said.

On Saturday morning, dance groups converged at the Richardson Park in Norwood from where they paraded around the streets of Mthatha singing and dancing.

O R Tambo mayor Nomakhosazana Meth said one of the important purposes of the festival was to portray who they are to the rest of the province.

“This is us, this is who we are as O R Tambo. We have cultural diversity because we have AmaMpondo, AmaMpondomise and AbaThembu.

“This is also a showcase of the legacy of OR Tambo as he loved his culture, he sang choral music, did stick-fighting and rode horses,” Meth said.

She added that as a municipality they wanted their artists to get exposure at home before attending festivals, such as the National Arts Festival held in Makhanda.

“We want our visual artists, dancers and crafters to have a space where they can hone their crafts. This is about supporting and promoting them.”

The parade headed to the park near the old Savoy Hotel where tents and stalls were erected.