[fusion_builder_container hundred_percent=”yes” overflow=”visible”][fusion_builder_row][fusion_builder_column type=”1_1″ background_position=”left top” background_color=”” border_size=”” border_color=”” border_style=”solid” spacing=”yes” background_image=”” background_repeat=”no-repeat” padding=”” margin_top=”0px” margin_bottom=”0px” class=”” id=”” animation_type=”” animation_speed=”0.3″ animation_direction=”left” hide_on_mobile=”no” center_content=”no” min_height=”none”][IN THE NEWS] “We are ready,” was the message echoed by all the speakers at Wednesday’s opening of the 41st National Festival of the Arts.

In their report about the evening, the EP Herald said that guests had included Eastern Cape premier Phumulo Masualle, Deputy Arts and Culture Minister Rejoice Mabudafhasi, Eastern Cape Arts and Culture MEC Pemmy Majodina and Makana mayor Zamuxolo Peter.

Masualle said the Festival forced Eastern Cape residents to reflect on who they are, where they come from and how they will use that to shape the future:

‘Our country would not be what it is if we didn’t have the arts,” Masualle said. “Our country would not be what it is without the works of people like Abdullah Ibrahim, George Pemba and Miriam Makeba who developed the arts and shaped the country into what it is today.’

The newspaper reported that a social economic impact study the Festival commissioned in 2013 showed that the Festival contributes R350-million to the Eastern Cape economy, and R90-million to the Makana economy. “So we thank the festival-goers and urge them to continue and take the spirit of the festival home and return next year,” Masualle reportedly said.

• Read the full story on the HeraldLIVE website: It’s all systems go for the 41st Festival

 

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