The Thulamela Arts Council has one ultimate goal and that is to see all creative people join hands in promoting local art around the Thulamela Municipality. This was revealed by the chairperson of the council, Mr Quincy Maladze, during a strategic-planning meeting held at the Florence Masakona Arts Centre in Thohoyandou on Friday, 16 September. In attendance were arts practitioners from various areas around the Thulamela Municipality.
Maladze said they were concerned about art practitioners who did not participate in the council's activities. "Our aim is to stimulate public interest in the arts, but it becomes a challenge when we have artists who prefer to operate solo. If we are many and united, we are able to achieve more and empower more local artists by giving them support and information to grow their careers. We are appealing to all artists and the various community stakeholders around Thulamela to help us sensitise the community about the importance of the arts industry and how it helps to unite us as a nation."
He said many benefits existed for artists who participated in the activities of the council. "We can also share knowledge with artists on how they can access mentorship, studies and funding to advance their careers. We also organise big events where these young artists can showcase their work, while at the same time attracting sponsors who can come to their financial rescue," said Maladze.
Mr Ndivhuwo Luvhengo, the council's public relations officer (PRO), is a multiple award-winning jazz maestro, famously known as Ndivhuwo NL. Luvhengo stressed that art is fundamental to our humanity. "Art inspires us as a community because it fosters creativity and unity. We are inspired by art to take pride in our creativity, while laying a strong foundation on which our future art practitioners will operate. Our aim is to bring communities together, hence we humbly implore all artists in the Thulamela Municipality to join us on this vital course," he said.