What makes this Festival unique, however, is that it also showcases the talents of youngsters who live in the province thanks to a series of district events held throughout North West in August to uncover budding young actors, dancers and singers and have them showcase their skills.
Within the four selected districts, namely: Bojanala Platinum District, Dr. Ruth Mompati District, Ngaka Modiri District and Dr. Kenneth Kaunda District, auditions and competition eliminations will be held in the above mentioned four districts served by the Department of Arts & Culture.
The winners in each category will take part in development workshops, where only the best selected participants will make the line-up for the main festival held traditionally during the last week of September.
Not only will the winners be performing at the festival but they will also receive prizes and follow-up skills development, management and mentoring. The Festival will feature a comedy show, theatre productions and the main festival, which will feature some of South Africa’s top performing artists.
Calabash is a unique developmental festival which brings thousands of young people together to compete in various arts and culture genres. Young people are also able to share excellence with professional artists. When winners are announced, it sometimes brings tears to one’s eyes to see the joy it brings to young people. One of the highlights will be th play
Internal Affairs, written by Mokoto Mothusi and directed by Mahlubi Kraai. “
Internal Affairs is a story based on the life of Vic Tsotesi who is a sergeant major in the South African Defence Force, a position which he has since occupied from 1996, following the incorporation of APLA into the SANDF,” said Trinity Bogosi, marketing and communications manager at Mmabana Foundation.
On Friday, 26 September, the Mmabana Theatre will play host to a variety of theatre and dance productions featuring both local and national artists. There is also a show, which is a new element to the Festival to look forward to, featuring local comedy talent as well as some of South Africa’s funny-men.
The Main Calabash event on Saturday, 27 September will be held at the Taung Sport Ground from Noon until late.
On Sunday, 28 September,
A Jazz Festival will be hosted where festivalgoers can spend a relaxed afternoon in the sun enjoying the smooth sounds of local and national jazz and gospel singers.
The Taung Cultural Calabash Festival is sponsored by the National Lottery Distribution Trust Fund, North West Department Culture, Arts and Traditional Affairs Mmabana Arts Culture & Sport Foundation and the Greater Taung Local Municipality.
There will be accommodation available for anyone wanting to make a weekend of it and this information can be obtained from
www.mmabana.org.za Tickets for the festival events are available at Shoprite or Checkers.
For more information, visit
www.mmabana.org.za.