By Lwazi Raul-Shongwe
The Mpumalanga DCSR(Department of Culture, Sport and Recreation) has launched a new single, “Phumalanga,” as part of the 10th Mpumalanga Cultural Experience celebrations.
The song brings together eight winners from different cultures across the province, including emaSwati, amaXhosa, amaZulu, amaTsonga, and amaNdebele, showcasing the rich cultural diversity of Mpumalanga.
The artists featured on the song were reportedly selected during the Music Creatives Workshop, held in Mpumalanga recently.
The Song’s Message
Shaka Mkhwanazi, speaking on behalf of the Department, emphasised the importance of promoting and supporting local artists. “As Mpumalanga, we are bragging about our own, that is what will make me rest in peace,” he said. The song celebrates the province’s cultural diversity and supports the creative industry.
“ The mandate of the Departmemt is to support, develop and promote the arts, and that is what we are doing. I’d be making a mistake if I said we are doing that very well, because we are not. The message I’m putting towards creatives is to keep on knocking on that door, it’ll open one day.
“ Don’t get into this industry with government in mind, you are going to collapse. I’m not implying that government is not supporting. Government has a particular way of supporting. You are not going to get the support if your proposal does not fit a particular mandate at the time. This industry is very cruel, but there’s a lot of work that this department is doing,” said Mkhwanazi.
He emphasised that the artists featured on the “Phumalanga” single were chosen because they’ve been part of the Mpumalanga Cultural Experience journey.
“ The song celebrates the cultural diversity of Mpumalanga, supports and promotes the creative industry of the province, and assists us to celebrate the 10th edition of Mpumalanga Cultural Experience. I think the song is very good, and I want to give a thumbs up to all the artists involved in the song.
“ As we celebrate the 10th year anniversary of Mpumalanga Cultural Experience, let’s go out there and share the song, speak about it and the project. We want to go big this year as Mpumalanga Culture, Sport, and Recreation in terms of celebrating the Cultural Experience,” said Mkhwanazi.
Empowering Artists
Zoe Mnguni , founder of the Music Creatives highlighted that the Music Creatives Workshop’s success in empowering over 300 creatives from across Mpumalanga.
The workshop reportedly provides training, mentorship, and grants to emerging artists from different parts of the province. Mnguni said the NYDA(National Youth Development Agency) has contributed over R1.5 million in grants so far, enabling many artists to establish their own studios and share the stage with prominent artists.
“ We have empowered a lot of artists in the province through the Music Creatives Workshop. We host the workshop every year and we empower over 300 creatives from all over Mpumalanga. We teach them about music and run a competition on the last day of the event, where we select a few artists that we empower through grants from the NYDA.
“ I would like to thank the Departmemt of Culture Sport and Recreation for opening up opportunities for these young and upcoming artists. I know that the Department receives a lot of backlash but artists must give a reason to be booked. Artists must clean up their brand, be visible on social media, and be professional,” said Mnguni.
Mnguni mentioned Lady P Mhlongo, one of the beneficiaries who received her own recording studio equipment worth R50 000, thanks to the NYDA.
Mnguni said it wasn’t easy to put the “Phumalanga” single together but it finally became a reality.
“ I’m proud to say that the song was recorded, mixed and mastered here in Mpumalanga. We got the beat from Mr Brown. It took us a while to fuse all the different genres, but the song eventually came together,” said Mnguni.
Celebrating 10 Years of Cultural Experience
The Mpumalanga Cultural Experience is a flagship event that promotes nation-building and social cohesion through sport and culture. This year’s celebration promises to be bigger and better, with various events and activities planned.
Key Highlights
– Cultural Diversity: The song “Phumalanga” brings together different cultures and genres, showcasing the province’s rich heritage.
– Empowering Artists: The Music Creatives Workshop has empowered numerous artists, providing them with skills, mentorship, and opportunities.
– Celebrating 10 Years: The Mpumalanga Cultural Experience has been a significant event in the province, promoting cultural diversity and creativity.
– Empowering Artists: The Music Creatives Workshop has empowered numerous artists, providing them with skills, mentorship, and opportunities.
– Celebrating 10 Years: The Mpumalanga Cultural Experience has been a significant event in the province, promoting cultural diversity and creativity.
The launch of “Phumalanga” marks an exciting milestone in the province’s cultural calendar, highlighting the importance of arts and culture in shaping identity and promoting social cohesion.
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