UMOBA Arts Festival displaying talents

With all hands-on deck, the first annual UMOBA arts festival kicked off on Thursday the 8^{th of} December. The University of Zululand (UNIZULU) Creative Arts Department hosted its unique and unprecedented three-days umoba festival. This pre-eminent festival offered three venues, Empangeni Civic Centre, Empangeni Museum and Zikhulise Arts Centre from Thursday until Saturday 10 December.

Staying true to the mission of the university as UNIZULU seeks to engage society for betterment of all, the festival aimed to encourage young artists to develop their creative signatures through varied modes of performance, whether it is acting, playwrighting, dance, directing, or music and visual arts. The choral and traditional music slot, as well as jazz and soul music as well as the entertainment area for the children.

Putting a spark on the December evenings with red-hot entertainment and enthusiastic performances. The community enjoyed the festive atmosphere and revel in the unique experience that UNIZULU offers.

The Project Co-Ordinator, Professor Fikelephi Twani spoke at the official opening of the festival about how the festival endeavors to support the development of young people’s creative and artistic abilities. “The festival offers young performers a valuable opportunity to network with other young creatives, and we believe that such a personal and creative exchange has the potential to elevate the richness and quality of artistic work produced by tomorrow’s creative leaders,” she continued  to un-pack the concept of UMOBA, Prof Twani said that the festival got its name from the successful and prestigious crop in the region. She touched on the fact that there are communities who have become rich because of umoba and there are communities who have a lot of stories to tell because of umoba “the first thing that crossed my as I driving to KwaZulu Natal to take my position is the amount of sugarcane that I saw along the way. Then it dawned on me that I am in Zululand and that is where umoba comes from. We have a reason to celebrate that” chuckled Prof Twani.

The festival Director Gift Marovatsang was ecstatic about the overall proceedings of the festival, “Through the Festival we celebrated and displayed remarkable talent. The festival catered for a diverse audience and offered space for a broad range of arts and culture events making it the ideal a family outing. We are grateful for the support received,” Marovatsang added.

Project partners as well as supporters were the Department of Arts Culture, umhlathuze Water, Zululand Observer, Cora FM, Towda, Cultivate Coffee Co, Delicacy wine as well as Sugarcane farmer Mr. Clive van Der Spur.

• Precious Shamase