Arts and Culture Deputy Minister, Ms Rejoice Mabudafhasi, MP in partnership with the Nelson Mandela Bay Metro will host Artists Imbizo on Friday, 03 July 2015 at Feather Market Hall in Port Elizabeth, Eastern Cape.

The purpose of the Imbizo is to explore challenges and opportunities within the Arts, Culture and Heritage Sector, as well as to discuss its role towards job creation, nation building and social cohesion. The session will also serve as a platform to discuss amongst others skills development and training, sustainability of the cultural and creative industries thus encouraging economic self-reliance of the artists.

The imbizo forms part of the Nelson Mandela Bay Cultural Festival that amongst others aims to promote the growth and contribution of the sector towards the country’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) and tourism in the Province. These objectives are in line with the Department Arts and Culture’s strategic goal of Mzansi Golden Economy (MGE) that seeks to unleash the economic potential of the creative sector through large scale investment.

The Nelson Mandela Bay Cultural Festival is scheduled to take place from the 3rd of July 2015 until 1st of August 2015. This month long Festival will also be used to celebrate the legacy our liberation struggle icon, Nelson Mandela.

Members of the media are invited to attend as follows:

Date               : 03 July 2015

Venue           : Feather Market Hall in Port Elizabeth, Eastern Cape

Time              : 09:00 – 13:00

RSVPs: Madimetja Moleba: 060 971 7482/012 441 3737/ MadimetjaM@dac.gov.za

Enquiries: contact Mr Peter Mbelengwa on 082 611 8197/ petermb@dac.gov.za

Issued by Government Communications (GCIS) on behalf of the Department of Arts and Culture

02 July 2015