Youth to show off skills at arts festival

LOCAL author Cinga Dyala and the World of Art Movement are hosting the Inkcubeko Yomntwana Arts Festival, on July 27 to July 29 at Mdantsane Indoor Sports Centre.

“The main purpose of the festival is to create a platform for children to showcase their skills, and is aimed at giving children a new purpose in keeping them off the streets,” Dyala said.

The GO! reported (“Telling story of kids deserted by fathers” July 12) that the festival is supported by Business and Arts South Africa, the Department of Education, and Buffalo City Municipality.

“The aim is to celebrate and embrace the skills and talents of children in a society that is misinformed about art and what it is all about,” Dyala said.

“We have chosen to host the festival in July because it is Mandela Month and we are well aware of the fact that Nelson Mandela was fond of children and had a firm belief in development of the child.

“So we want to carry on with his legacy and ensure a better society through helping to develop children,” she said.

Dyala said attendees could expect a day of “edutainment” with visual and performing arts, language and literature and modelling activities. She said the idea behind the festival is to cater for all art forms and to show children that art as a whole should be treated with respect and appreciation.

“We are also working with orphanages by selecting the children who have the will and drive to showcase their talents and skills. Maybe at our next festival there will be more children who will be interested in participating,” Dyala said.

“However, we also have approached established artists to be part of the festival in terms of performances at the opening ceremony,” Dyala said.