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UPCOMING SHOW AT THE PLAYHOUSE
Date: 23 November 2024 Venue: Drama Theatre
WE CAN ARTS FESTIVAL is a project aimed at fostering the inclusion, integration and promotion of artist with disabilities into the mainstream creative arts economy. This is done through practically removing limitations within the sector which makes it difficult for them to showcase their talents before national and commercial markets by placing them in a system that does not promote their artistic talents.
The project was initiated in 2015 after realising that there were no platforms where artists with disabilities can express themselves. This platform has then provided tangible solutions in providing verifiable and sustainable Artistic Jobs and a national commercial artistic platform for artists with disabilities. Over the years, the project has successfully maximised on providing professional set-up performance platforms in raising awareness around the inclusion of artist with disabilities to the mainstream arts. The WE CAN ARTS FESTIVAL concept is growing through leaps and bounds since its formation, going forward, we wish to Sustain the festival as a national fully inclusive arts festival for the artists with disabilities where they can freely showcase their talents before markets not normally enjoyed which will then enable them access to commercial arts market.
It gives us great pleasure to once again embark on a journey to enable access to markets for artists with disabilities through our partnership with The Playhouse Company and the Department of Sport, Arts and Culture. We are looking forward to meet and work with everyone in the sector in taking this initiative forward.
In 2023 we embarked on The National Talent search which took place in four provinces which are KwaZulu Natal, Gauteng, Free State and Western Cape provinces where raw talent was discovered. Apart from performers, Published Authors, Crafters and other Artistic products creators with disabilities were also discovered.
We are pleased that Talent selected from provinces in 2003 will get to share the stage with other developed artists with disabilities like legendary uMbhaqanga musician, Babsy Mlangeni, a multi-award-wining Gospel sensation with albinism, Sgwili, upcoming blind maskandi artists and guitarist, Chaos Machafuko, Maskandi Artists with albinism, Umfana Omhlophe, Afro Pop singer who uses a wheel chair, Pinky 1st Lady and Afro-soul guitarist and vocalist, Khazozo, who is blind, Snow White, a national Soul/RnB/Gospel artist with albinism, who was part of Joyous Celebration for a longest time before embarking on her solo career and many others.
The Production is scheduled to take place at Durban Playhouse on the 23rd of November 2024 from 16h00. The Production will be recorded for TV to enable access to markets for artists with disabilities.
WE CAN ARTS FESTIVAL is a flagship project supported by The National Department Sport, Arts And Culture, through Umzansi Golden Economy Fund and it is presented in association with the Playhouse Company.
“ The South African government as a constitutional democracy has embarked on various interventions to improve the livelihoods and wellbeing of persons with disabilities as part of national efforts to foster an inclusive society.
To achieve these noble goals and objectives, government has committed to working closely with the private sector, labour unions, civil society and community development organizations to removing and dis- mantle barriers to access to social and economic opportunities by persons with disabilities.
WE CAN ARTS FESTIVAL presents this practical platform for corporate, government departments and entities to reach out to the persons with disabilities sector.
The biggest milestone for the project to date was the production of a three-part TV series which premiered on DSTV Mzansi Magic Music in 2021. This was a first TV production dedicated to artist with disabilities ever on out TV screens in South Africa if not in Africa as a whole.
We are happy to announce that for the year 2024, Talent discovered from our National Talent Search which took place in 2023 across the country where new talent was discovered, that talent will be nurtured and developed in order to form part of the national festival for artists with disabilities scheduled to take place at The Durban Playhouse on the 23rd of November 2024”
Thabani Mazibuko , Festival Director: We Can Arts Festival.
Thabani Mazibuko , 082 689 0785
