Mpumalanga Cultural Experience Celebrates 10 Years of Artistic Excellence

By Lwazi Raul-Shongwe

The Mpumalanga DCSR(Department of Culture, Sport, and Recreation) is gearing up to celebrate a decade of MPUCE(Mpumalanga Cultural Experience), a flagship event that showcases the province’s rich cultural heritage.

DCSR MEC, Leah Mabuza, said the department’s mission is to ensure that the creative industry benefits from such events.

Empowering Local Artists

MEC Mabuza highlighted the department’s efforts to empower local artists.

“When we bring such events, our mission is to ensure that the creative industry benefits.” She noted that the department has taken an approach to ensure that 90% of the programs benefit local artists, with the goal of tapping into the remaining 10%.

Economic Benefits

The event is expected to have a significant impact on the local economy, with opportunities for small businesses and SMMEs to sell their creative cultural products. It also carries many benefits for the tourism industry in the province, as it’s known to draw visitors from various parts of the country, as well as neighbouring countries such as the Kindom of Eswatini, the Republic of Mozambique, to name but a few.

MEC Mabuza said; “ Those who are in small businesses, and SMMEs will benefit from the 013 Summer Blaze # 50 000, because many people will be there. We know that our guest houses, hotels, restaurants, entertainment areas, and garage stations will be full. Therefore, we want to send the 10th year celebration of the Mpumalanga Cultural Experience back to our people, to enjoy it, feel the love and happiness of Mpumalanga”.

The event will also feature the # 3000 Soul Session at the Lowveld National Botanical Gardens, where local artists will have another opportunity to showcase their talents and sell their respective artistic products.

Mabuza emphasised the importance of developing the heritage economy.

“We want to ensure that the heritage economy becomes one of the booming economies in the province.” said Mabuza.

She added that the department aims to create opportunities for local people to benefit from the cultural industry.

Celebrating 10 Years of MPUCE

The 10th edition of the Mpumalanga Cultural Experience promises to be an exciting event, with a range of activities planned.

MEC Mabuza invited people to come and experience the beauty of Mpumalanga.

“ If you take the decision to make Mpumalanga your holiday destination, we have the Panorama Route, Kruger National Park, and the Burkesluk Potholes, amongst other tourist attractions. We are encouraging people to come and enjoy the beauty of this province while at the same time they’ll get the chance to dance a little bit,” she said.

The department will also be hosting the World Gold Panning Championships in Pilgrims Rest, under the Thaba Chweu Local Municipality, with MEC Mabuza expressing her excitement to participate in the event.

“ We went to Spain for the World Gold Panning Championships, and these tournaments have started with the national one in the province. I’ll also be there to open the championship and I’ll also be panning because I love it. The people of Mpumalanga are also invited to that beautiful area of Pilgrims Rest that used to mine a special kind of gold in South Africa, hence we are panning in that beautiful town,” said MEC Mabuza.

The Mpumalanga Cultural Experience is widely accepted as a testament to the province’s rich cultural heritage and its commitment to promoting arts and culture.

The event promises to be an exciting celebration of music, art, and culture, and is expected to attract visitors from across the country and beyond.