My Experience On The Natinal Arts festival

Thokozani Shongwe

Mingling with different tribes in Grahamstown
also really shows me that South Africans are enjoying the freedom which was left by the resilient Nelson Mandela. I have gain experience from Lira performance that South African must practice their freedom. I have experience that people must not always rebel for the government about shortage of job opportunities while have sit down with their hands I have taken these from one artist at the Church Square.

Xhosa dancers in their cultural attire 

The show for Nomakhisimsi gave experience that people must be faithfully in their relationship, must say no to illiterate generation and not being ignorant of what is going on around you. I loved the advice which was given by the Director of Highway Africa Mr Chris that in life one must be curious, listen and also be skeptical.

Body connectivity works in life I saw this on the Cargo: Precious show. Also that Captivity is something that one is born with the only that can be taught are the skills not the talent. Acclimatizing at the situation is the resolution to go on with life then forget about bad memories. Human traffic still exists.

What really impressed is that people are proud of their culture; I have seen these because nations were dressing their attire without any fear of favor. It would be unfair to leave the activities given by FJP I gained much experience radio production, reviewing shows and many more. I’m now sharpened as a Future Journalist.

   

Arts Fest - A humbling experience

Simvuyele Mageza

We arrived in icy Grahamstown on the morning of the 7^th of July for the 40^th Annual Arts Festival, the second biggest of its kind in Africa. It’s been only a week, yet the fun that has been had tells a different story.

 There is a certain level of pride that comes with being here. Not only as part of the media, but also as a South African. There was so much to see, do and learn that you couldn’t help but smile at how far our country has come.

South African "bottle art", handmade by sand and coloured beads

My partner and I saw our first show, Ezekiel Dlamini – The Musical, on the morning of the 9^th of July. It was thrilling beyond compare and surpassed all expectations. Thereafter we saw Divalicious on the same evening. Although I am not much of a fan of the music genre there, the performances were beautiful and I commend them on a job well done.

The next morning we saw Heavy; a stand-up comedy show hosted by Kagiso Mokgadi. I learnt something vital that day: if you don’t want to be attacked by the comedian, never sit near the front.

Even though we were working on assignments throughout the week, we had much time to go browsing the markets and trying the local cuisine. We learnt a lot of skills that we are now able to take back with us. We are better and stronger, not only as journalists but also as South Africans.

And Cut!

  

                                            

Sbongakonke Mbatha

Copper handmade bangles

like these magic words said by a director at the end of a scene or a show. It’s a wrap. It’s time to get back to my form of reality, home. The festival has been a fantasy. An amazing show. It was all about the art. As an artist myself I must say I was absolutely entertained once I got to absorb all the wonderful energies that surrounded me. What fascinated me the most is the fact that everyone wanted to do something and be known. I saw crafts that I had never seen before in my life.

The importance of communication, understanding and appreciation was what I learnt from conversing with different stall owners all around town.BonifaceChikwenhere said “It is not entirely about making money, appreciation of my work”.  I understood an individual perception of an artist. Kalu Tshabalala, a copper wire jeweller. A wise man.  What he said was profound. He said ‘A had that gives shall receive’ and then gave me a pair of earrings.

Not once did he try and convince me to buy any of his jewellery before that. My entertainment satisfaction travelled from craft to music. I couldn’t help but be star struck when I got to watch The Muffinz at the Smirnoff Music Room. They are the best South African boy band I have ever seen. Just when I thought my night couldn’t get any better, jazz with Asanda Mqiki just made my night warmer.

The fest of my life

Siyamtanda Capa

For years I watched the live broadcast of the National Arts festival and its many events on SABC 2’s Morning Live. This year I got to experience the festival and for that I have the Future Journalist Program to thank.

Actor and dancer Chuma Sopotela in 20/20 visions 

One thing that stood out for me was the people at fest and their quirky fashion, their unique hair (absolute blog material).

 The fashion people made looking unique and stylish so effortless. Hippies with their children who walk barefoot. For me this festival was one filled with a lot, I would never see back home, together with what South Africans are all about-Diversity.

Grahasmstown- Gtown (as locals call it) is well known for its unfriendly weather conditions and the temperatures dropped to 2 degrees but yes, I got through it all. 

The theatre experience- I have never been one to appreciate the arts, specifically the performing arts but being here getting the opportunity to attend shows, was eye opening. One production in particular stood out for me. Seeing Paul Grootboom’s Protest with Desmond Dube in it with three of my colleagues left me in absolute awe.

I was fortunate enough to attend a show called 20/20 Visions a four piece choreography production which made me look at my past and future as a young South Africa in a different light.

Besides the delicious coffee the wonderful food and the wonders of the media pass, attending the National Arts festival has made me look at the arts in a different way I came here with no Idea and left with the utmost respect. I will return.

Grahamstown National Arts Festival an Addictive event

Sisonke Mlamla



African Dancers

It has been 40 years now since National Arts Festival has been running in Grahamstown, 14 of the last previous years I have been to the Arts Festival but without noticing the main idea of what is it all about, 2013 when I was working for Rhodes Music Radio (RMR) I started to notice the main aim of this event, till I was part of the Future Journalist Program (FJP) which has opened doors for me to be part of the National Arts Festival, then I knew Fest.. It is not only for rich and advantageous people but for everyone, through my investigations.

I was so fascinated by the Art Galleries, different cultures I mingled with at the Fest, to be psychological opened by the shows I watched like ‘’The Protest’’, intrinsically associated with great musical shows, made me feel attached to African music.
 

People shouldn’t miss this opportunity to be involved in the National Arts Festival it is indeed an Addictive event to be ‘’speaking from experience’’, we must show what we have been born with, ‘’I believe that everybody is born with the power of Art’’. I am proud to say these 14 years of experience has changed my life completely.

The year 2014 has been my best year to be rooted in this event, mostly love to be acknowledged by experiential artists like Desmond Dube, Mutlatsi Mafatshe and others, journalists from all corners of South Africa and across the borders. Grahamstown must take this event to the highest level than it is.

My experience at the National Arts Festival

One of the venues where performances took place

Aviwe Mtila

It is experiences like the National Arts Festival that make me truly appreciate my blessings in life.

Having to cover such a huge, national event can only be a privilege and I certainly enjoyed every second of everyday.

The highlight of my first day is having to watch and review the world class theatre play, Ubu and the Truth Commission. What really amazed me about this play was how it combined puppetry with live actors, music, animation and documentary footage. The duration of the play seemed like a minute to me because of how entertaining it is.

I enjoyed all the shows I had to review but I must also mention the cultural show I attended with Lynn Butler, uNontombi Musical Play, which made me appreciate my culture more.

The radio exercises were another enjoyable experience and I must thank Kgali for the knowledge gained through the exercises and for being patient with us.

It would be unfair to leave out all the other exercise we were tasked, a lot of knowledge has been gained through this programme.

Thank you to everyone involved in making the FJP possible and please do continue with the great work you are doing.

For this I am content

Chante Petersen

Experiencing the Grahamstown National Arts festival has been both a professional and personal one. Reviewing for Cue Newspaper, reading a news bulletin for RMR (which went terribly, might I add) and doing interview after interview has greatly pushed my abilities and mind set in my journalism work. Being thrown into fieldwork has been an overwhelming challenge but greatly so in the sense of growth. I’ve stumbled in a few areas but I am grateful for these mistakes because one can only learn.

A perfomer's briefcase

Doing a bit of socialising has also manifested itself into opportunities. I have met and exchanged contact details with a few artists, directors, vendors and culture groups who are also from Cape Town. So as I make my way back home I am able to continue the work as a reviewer.

What I enjoyed most throughout the stay was the energy throughout the town. The streets were alive with both artist and spectator. Engaging with the diversity of the crowd came with such ease. 

As I make my way back home to Cape Town, I leave with clarity, inspiration and growth in the direction of my work. For this I am grateful and content with my first experience of the Grahamstown National Arts Festival. 

Love and light to both Highway Africa co coordinators and FJP colleagues.