Young talent heats up for Heritage Day

Children involved with the Sakhuluntu Cultural Group are eagerly preparing for this weekend's competition where they stand to win valuable prizes at the group's Heritage Day event.

This Saturday Sakhuluntu is hosting a youth festival at the Extension 9 Hall, and the group's founder, Vuyo Booi, told Grocott's Mail earlier this week that a number of prizes will be awarded to local talent to promote the arts in Grahamstown East.

Booi reported that more than 20 local artists have entered for the event, and said the programme will consist of puppetry, live bands, traditional and gumboot dancers, drama, poetry, visual arts and crafts and a variety of music from marimbas and hip-hop to kwaito and choirs. He added that they will also have performers from outside Grahamstown from Hamburg, Mgababa and Trappes Valley.

"The competition will reward the winners with further opportunities that will develop the local artist to a high standard," explained Booi. The prizes are incentives for youngsters to join the cultural group, and ultimately help to build up the community, said Booi.

As an example of one the prizes, he said that if a contestant wins in the music category then Sakhuluntu will award them with the opportunity to record music in a proper studio. He said that the event will be a platform for the children to show their creative talent and see what other groups are doing creatively.

Rhodes University drama Honours student Karin Reum, who trains local children in acting, noted how her young actors loved getting into characters and being creative. She said they are very enthusiastic, and stood a good chance of being winners in the competition.

After Reum completed rehearsing with the children on Tuesday, Chwayita Mhlawuli, 13, a dancer, told Grocott's Mail that she was confident that their group was going to win the competition. "We have experience, energy and passion for dancing in front of an audience," she said.

She added that they have no fear for any group in Grahamstown, and challenged others to show them otherwise on Saturday. Zikhona Mtshungwa, 14, actress, couldn't contain her excitement for the event.

She can't wait for her parents to watch her perform at the event, "and that it is going to be their first time attending Sakhuluntu events," said Zikhona. "I can't wait to see myself wearing a new costume, and becoming a new actress star," she said.