EVATON. – Motswako Arts Centre organised the Bua Arts Festival to provide a platform for people from Evaton and surrounding areas in Vaal to showcase their talents.
The festival, held at Motswako Arts Centre in Evaton on Saturday, featured a range of artistic expressions including theatrical performances, dance, music, poetry, film, arts and crafts, and a market. The event kicked off with the South African National Anthem sung by the audience, followed by a performance by the Motswako Marimba Junior group playing the Marimba instrument under the direction of Malefetsane Ntoahae and Bafana Tsepe.
The primary goal of the festival was to nurture the raw talent of local artists in Vaal, providing them with an opportunity to explore their artistic selves through various art forms. Motswako Arts Centre collaborated with the organisation Boys and Girls, who donated food to ensure attendees had access to meals, especially considering the location in the heart of Evaton where there are many less fortunate individuals.
Abbey Maeane, the Co-founder and Managing Director of Motswako Arts Centre, emphasised the positive impact of art on individuals, particularly young people. He noted the improvement in participants who have been part of their arts development classes, such as the met camp held on Saturdays and during school holidays. Maeane highlighted that art plays a significant role in building self-esteem and confidence.
The Department of Sports, Arts, and Culture provided support for the festival by supplying stage lights, water, and branding. Motswako Arts Centre serves as an important institution for young people, children, and adults to discover their talents and share their stories. The festival creates a sense of belonging for artists to express themselves freely.
In an interview with Sedibeng Ster, Lerato Mafohla, along with teammates Bula Ratjhopo and Tshepo Mofokeng from QwaQwa in Free State under the production of Bapala Creative Arts and Services, presented a show called ‘Lentswe.’ The show aims to educate people about political issues affecting societies and provinces. They expressed a desire for sponsorship to take their show to Market Theaters, where they can reach a wider audience, especially the youth, especially with elections approaching.