The National Arts Festival has attracted two additional sponsors, it announced last week. The National Lottery Distribution Trust Fund (NLDTF) has committed a R10,5-million sponsorship to be paid over three years.
Speaking on behalf of Dr Nevhutalu, Chair of the Distributing Agency for Arts, Culture and National Heritage, Sershan Naidoo said: ‘The NLDTF is committed, amongst others, to the promotion of the arts and will strive to ensure that the funds allocated to the arts sector does just that.”
Naidoo went on to say, ‘The NLDTF believes that the National Arts Festival is an incredible platform for South African performers, often providing opportunities to première South African shows before they go on national and international tours.”
The second additional sponsor is the SABC.
Sbu Manqele, general manager corporate marketing of the SABC said: ‘The SABC serves as the mirror of the nation, providing a platform to showcase its creativity, and it is therefore with utmost pride that the SABC continues its association with the National Arts Festival, which is an integral part of the past, our history and our future.”
“Instead of taking a trip to the famous Time Square in New York or Bourbon Street in New Orleans, we want our people to take a journey to Grahamstown,” he said.
Ricky Naidoo, on behalf of Standard Bank, welcomed the NLTFD and the SABC as new partners.
Standard Bank has been an integral part of the history and success of the National Arts Festival over a number of years and has been instrumental in securing the pride of place that the Festival has, and its belief in the continuance of the Festival has provided the base for other sponsors to become involved.
Doreen Nteta, CEO of the National Arts Council added her commitment to the council’s Involvement with the festival.
‘We believe that the Festival echoes our voice in the arts arena, and we passionately believe that craft is one area that symbolises the heart of South Africa and needs to be promoted.”