Thank you to everyone who sent us notes of concern and calls today to check on the status and safety of the Festival in light of the breaking story of the exit of the Gift of the Givers from Makhanda.

“The most important thing you should know is that the 2019 National Arts Festival is secure and will go ahead. We will have water for all of our visitors. We do have a plan in place. There is an African proverb that says, ‘When elephants fight it is the grass that suffers’. We hope that Makana Municipality and Gift of the Givers resolve their current issues without forgetting the residents of Makhanda who they both, in different ways, pledge to serve. The countdown to #NAF2019 is truly marching on and we can’t wait to welcome artists and visitors to our town – we look forward to being vastly cheered up by you all,” says Tony Lankester, CEO of the National Arts Festival.

•  Read the statement from Makana Municipality: ‘Engagement with Gift of the Givers ongoing‘
• Photo: Galela, Well Worn Theatre Company’s ‘thirst-quenching story of a small community deeply affected by South Africa’s water issues’.