THE Alfred Nzo District Municipality hosted a successful edition of the annual Isicathamiya Music Festival at the Wild Coast Sun Casino in Mzamba, which falls under the Winnie Madikizela-Mandela Local Municipality.
According to the spokesperson for this municipality, Lixolile Petela, the prestigious event, which started at 20:00 and ran until 07:00 on Sunday, was a partnership between the District and Local Municipalities, Wild Coast Sun and the Isicathamiya Music Association.
“With 24 groups and choirs in competition, the total cash prize that was up for grabs was R88 000. The Mayor for Winnie Madikizela-Mandela Local Municipality, Councillor Daniswa Mafumbatha, welcomed all guests, which included members of the mayoral committee and councillors from the Alfred Nzo and Winnie Madikizela-Mandela municipalities,” said Petela.
Mafumbatha reminded all present that the event was taking place as South Africa prepares to observe 16 Days of Activism against Women and Children, calling on men to join the fight against gender-based violence (GBV). Executive Mayor for Alfred Nzo District Municipality, Councillor Vukile Mhlelembana, committed that the district municipality would continue to support Isicathamiya music and artists, and will host the spectacular music events for at least the next five years.
“We will continue to support and invest in this programme for the next five years because we want to see our Eastern Cape artists grow. We also want to restore the dignity of our local musical cultures and heritage.
“We want people to return to embracing their roots,” said Mhlelembana.
He also donated R5 000 from his pocket to a group of elders who performed without uniforms because of financial constraints.
He also committed to investing more money into the event in 2023 and years beyond, saying, “As part of growing government’s investment in Isicathamiya, next year that they will increase the cash prize to R130 000.
“With the rising levels of poverty and unemployment in our country, this investment is about one innovative approach to dealing with these challenges facing our communities.”
It was an emotional moment when two young boys. Philasande Nxumalo (14) and Mncedisi Phungula (9), who were part of the winning choir, Siyaphambili H. Brothers, were awarded an extra R500 each as a token of appreciation for their excellent performance.
– ISSUED BY ANDM
