A series of events is under way in Grahamstown as a form of protest against the National Arts Festival's perceived exclusivity.
A series of events is under way in Grahamstown as a form of protest against the National Arts Festival's perceived exclusivity.
In union with international protest movement, the Occupy Movement, local social movement, the Unemployed People’s Movement (UPM) are conducting what they have termed the iRhini Festival of Resistance.
The iRhini Festival of Resistance organisers say they are occupying public spaces in town and in the location.
The UPM, with Soundz of the South (SOS) from Cape Town, and Uhuru Network from Zimbabwe, are the organising parties.
Explaining the move UPM leader, Ayanda Kota, described the Festival as "the space of the elite’’.
"Grahamstown Arts Festival does not have a political message,’ Kota said, deliberately using the name Grahamstown rather than Makana."
"Indeed it is the ‘Grahamstown Arts Festival’, not the Makana Arts Festival," Kota explained.
The National Arts Festival was not inclusive, Kota said. People in Makana did not enjoy the festivities as much as people in Grahamstown.
Anele Afrika, leader of SOS, referred to the fact that it is Grahamstown's bicentenary.
"This also speaks to the ‘greatness’ that Grahamstown celebrates," Afrika said. "What greatness? What are we celebrating?’’
The iRhini Festival of Resistance organisers also criticised Rhodes University.
"Because the Arts Festival moved to Rhodes University, the institution is making money at the expense of local businesses by providing accommodation," Kota said.
Local B&Bs had borne the brunt of this move.
In previous years, a mobile stage provided on the back of a Transnet truck offered free entertainment and a platform for local artists in the city centre.
Now a Coca-Cola truck in Fingo Village is providing a similar service and is drawing the crowds.
Organiser of Fingo Festival Xolile Madinda said the event, run in conjunction with the National Arts Festival, went beyond performances and exhibitions.
"We are holding dialogues on current issues focusing on how local businesses can benefit from the arts festival," he said.
He said local business owners were attending the dialogues and discussing ways to make sure they benefited from the Festival in future.
This was a five-year plan, he said.
The Fingo Festival is based opposite the Chan Henry store in Dr Jacob Zuma Drive.
