Arts

Mentorship for young artistes

Sinenhlanhla Mdiya

Business and Arts South Africa (BASA), the Department of Arts and Culture (DAC) and the National Lotteries Commission (NLC), recently launched the DAC Debut Programme to provide mentorship to young creatives from peri-urban areas across the country.

  The programme concluded its maiden programme on 28 November, with the DAC Debut Wrap Event at the National School of the Arts in Johannesburg.

  Minister of Arts and Culture Nathi Mthethwa launched the DAC Debut Programme for emerging artists, which saw the creation of opportunities for budding artistes. The programme offers training and funding opportunities for young artistes from all disciplines, making their debut in the creative industries.

  The Wrap Event, hosted at the National School of the Arts, was a celebration of the top nine DAC Debut provincial winners, as well as the impact of the mentorship they received from industry experts from the business and arts sectors. The winners, who hail from all nine provinces, participated in a series of development workshops, aimed at improving their skills, with the end goal of making their creative ventures a reality.

  Hosted and facilitated by TV personality, Rorisang Thandekiso, the event included an inspiring performance from Siphokazi Jonas, the Western Cape Winner at the event. DAC’s senior manager for Arts & Youth Development  Moleleki Ledimo explained the value of the programme to the packed venue, bringing particular attention to the alumni and various opportunities available to them.

  North-West winner Rehilwe Mooketsi said: “The programme has enabled me to articulate a creative and entrepreneurial direction. The obligation to account for the financial activities, accept responsibility for them, and disclose the results to the funder, has set me up for the future. I’ve developed a strong characteristic of accountability and discipline.”

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