The annual Mapungubwe Arts Festival has officially started with a street parade at Polokwane in Limpopo. A
rtists from across different genres, including traditional dancers, participated in a colourful carnival in the central business district on day one.
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The MEC of Sports, Arts and Culture Thandi Moraka walked alongside the artists.
Other activities included a beauty pageant. The main music festival featuring artists such as King Monada, Master KG and Makhadzi takes place on Saturday at the Polokwane Cricket Club.
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The performers at the street parade say they enjoy entertaining the crowd.
“This is our third time doing this so we are kind of used to this so we are actually quite ready. You know we are going to be walking, entertaining the crowd dancing all around you know like actually getting the crowd involved into the carnival. This is how spectacular and wow we are…I am enjoying the carnival because I like the cultures.”
A group of young artists from Moletjie say that performing in the art of dancing has provided them with opportunities.
“Many boys outside are struggling and it is very painful to see those boys there. Yes, music is the best one; it is going to lead to many opportunities, give us jobs also we can go to music schools and staff. Our music will inspire many people like boys in our village because this band lead us to take huge responsibility of ourselves and inspire a lot.”
Thandi Moraka says the department has set aside R10 million the 2019 festival. She says it will help boost economic growth.
“We want the festival to grow in order for us to grow the economy of the province because when the festival is happening in the province of Limpopo, you’ll find travellers coming to lodge and book hotel facilities in the province and that on its own contributes to the GDP of the province.”
The Mapungubwe Arts Festival is expected to end on Monday.
