By: Zethu Gweva
Buffalo City Metropolitan Municipality Portfolio Head of Economic Development and Agencies Mzwandile Vaaiboom said Municipality assigned duties of Heritage, Arts, Culture, Economic Development and Tourism to educate local artists to understand the business side of the industry which will curb unemployment, inequality and poverty.
He was speaking at the BCMM Creative Arts workshop held at Guild Theatre today. The aim of the workshop was to encourage young people to understand creative arts as a business.
“We want to advance economic development because once they enter and treat this industry as business in their mindset, they will see economic change, therefore we are contributing on the broader agenda of economic development for a better living in our communities,” he said.
In addition he expressed that they want to see their own artist performing on a national and international level. In terms of supporting the local artists, Vaaiboom said they bought equipment and decided to conduct this workshop as part of giving back to them.
A local artist and arts promoter Cebo Mzanywa said he is grateful to the Municipality for the workshop, he added that BCMM does indeed support local artists with funding.
“I will make an example using myself, I have a programme that I am doing called Buffalo City Promotion Festival, the municipality assisted me with banners which I believe cost a lot of money,” said Mzwanwa.
A choreographer, dance teacher and a member of a non-profit organisation called Day Spring Dance Development Kati Ansell said she wants to run a part time to full time dance classes on a daily basis, she added that the workshop gave
details of the steps she needs to take in order to apply for funding.