The Democratic Alliance (DA) is serious about supporting local talent and has joined up with musicians, artists and businesses to convene what we envisage will become an annual talent festival in the Benede-Oranje region.
The Oranje Kalahari Talentfees features five main categories which include painting, photography, storytelling, music and dance, with further sub-categories for different genres. All categories will be run on a knock-out basis, with successful participants advancing to a special gala show to be hosted on 24 September, featuring all the top contenders.
The Upington area boasts an exceptional amount of talent. That is why this festival is exclusively for the people of this region, including communities in Riemvasmaak, Keimoes, Kakamas, Kenhardt, Rietfontein, Loubos, Philandersbron, Noenieput and Swartkop Dam. Due to the lack of opportunities for people in these towns, we aim to create a platform to help them showcase and market their talent, with the possibility of kickstarting their careers by giving them exposure to organisers of other shows and festivals, like the Kalahari Kuierfees.
The organizers and judges of the Oranje Kalahari Talentfees are made up of a diverse team of established artists, who specialised in the various fields, from photography to choreography and conducting. They are passionate about turning talents into opportunities and even the prizes are geared towards this end. For example, the winner of the photography section will secure entry into a national photography competition, while the winner of the music section will receive an opportunity to record a cover in Bloemfontein.
The DA encourages local artists to submit their entries. It is time for us to harness the potential of local talent and to build a more colorful and creative future by creating opportunities for the people of Bende Oranje. For more information, people can contact me on 082 491 0401.