Iphulo arts festival kicks off tomorrow

THE four-day Iphulo Performing Arts Festival promises to be bigger and better this year.

The R900 000 festival, which starts tomorrow, returns to the Port Elizabeth Opera House after being held at other venues in recent years.

Started in 2008, the festival will feature drama, dance and poetry productions.

Opera House general manager Monde Ngonyama said the bulk of the budget would go to seven groups from the Job Creation Incubator.

“This will be the showcase of their works. Each of the seven groups will receive R80 000,” he said.

Siyabonga Maneli, 24, producer of From Hell and Back, said the Job Creation Incubator had helped him branch out on his own.

The festival’s artistic manager, Nobesuthu Rayi, said they hoped to provide a platform for local and provincial talent.

Tickets cost R20 a show, R50 for a day pass and R150 for the four days.