Sibonele Dance Project performing in Gugulethu as part of the Community Creative District launch. Photo by Masixole Feni.
2 December 2014
Gugulethu was at a standstill on the weekend when dancers and artists showed their talents at the Community Creative District launch. Houses were turned into art galleries, streets into stages, putting everyone in a jovial mood to see art in their area.
The launch is part of Arts Township International which aims to strengthen, create, manage, and promote creative projects that contribute towards the development of local arts, the economy, communities and even international relations.
Nonyaniso Funa, a resident of Gugulethu, had her house converted into an art gallery. Funa said, “Most of us don’t work, so this event is helping us make some money.”
Funa said the event was good for the community and the youth had come out in numbers.
Zola Tsotetsi, a graffiti artist, who was busy painting one of the designated walls, said, “I love painting and if I get a chance to showcase my talent in the township, it’s even better because our people appreciate this type of art.”
Street art in Gugulethu as part of the Community Creative District launch. Photo by Masixole Feni.
15-year-old Asemahle Gamana, a dancer, said, “I was introduced to dancing at school. I’ve loved it ever since. It is good that there is this event because we get to show the community our skills.”
Arts Township International has designed its activities to provide a platform for strengthening and developing South African arts and culture. The aim is to promote self-sustainability.
Siphiwe Ngwenya, one of the organisers of the event, said, “One of the reasons we came up with this was because we know our people don’t get to enjoy arts because they have to go to galleries in town. We want to encourage people to [visit our] own galleries. I would also like to see this event not only in Gugulethu but in townships across the country.”
Ngwenya said, “Community Creative District in Gugulethu is a social tourism model that turns the community into a vibrant, productive creative hub of annual arts festivals, monthly craft and food markets, and daily home gallery tours that showcase what Gugulethu has to offer.