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Mpumalanga Cultural Experience Festival awakens the province

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Mpumalanga has come alive this weekend.

People from different parts of South Africa and the neighbouring countries of Mozambique and Swaziland descended on the province for the annual Mpumalanga Cultural Experience Festival.

The event is aimed at promoting culture and tourism.

A colourful event with different cultural groups paraded through the streets of Mbombela, showcasing their cultural heritage.

The event is a major boost to the local economy as visitors from neighbouring Swaziland and Mozambique, also attended the cultural spectacle.

Sibongile Nkosi from the Mpumalanga Arts and Culture Department says: “This event promotes tourism, hotels are full and that means income is generated for the province.”

Stanley Dlamini of the Swaziland Arts and Culture department elaborates: “As Swaziland we are part of this initiative because arts is a way of life, South Africa, Mozambique and Swaziland enjoy strong relations.”

Festival-goers also get an opportunity to explore the province’s tourist destinations.

Some had a brief view of Shaangan Cultural Village in Hazyview.

The cultural festival is an opportunity for local and international artists, to also showcase their talent.

Makhosi Zulu an official of the Mpumalanga Annual Music Awards, “What we have noticed is that artists from here always have to travel to other provinces to develop their art. We want them to have a platform here.”

Sands, an artist in attendance of the festival, says, “I am an artist from Swaziland. This initiative brings us together; it unites us and helps us exchange ideas.”

Another artist at the festival, Mande Musiq says, “I’m grateful that I am being given an opportunity by my own province. I had to go to Gauteng to pursue my career in music.”

The event ends on Sunday.

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