"The Cape Town Arts Festival stands as a testament to community arts for community wellbeing, with a mission to upskill, nurture and spotlight community artists within their own neighbourhoods, and recognise their exceptional contributions by showcasing them on the main festival stage a meeting ground for emerging and established artists." The first musical act set to appear at the event is South African hip hop artist Dee Koala, who is expected to perform on the main stage on December 10. Other artists include Afro Suns Marimba Band and Imad, with more acts to be announced. Renowned storyteller Fatima Dike will be presenting a narrative about the history of the Castle of Good Hope. The festival's theme for 2023 aligns with a national initiative of the South African Human Rights Commission SAHRC , "SHiNE", Social Harmony through National Effort . SHiNE aims to foster social harmony through effort, personal initiative, and positive dialogue, echoing the festival's commitment to community wellbeing. SAHRC deputy chairperson Fatima Chohan said: "Our partnership with the Cape Town Arts Festival is driven by our deep conviction in the festival's mission to enhance community wellbeing. This collaboration symbolises our joint commitment to fostering a more inclusive and harmonious society. "By joining forces with the Cape Town Arts Festival to amplify the SHiNE message, we embark on a mission to inspire personal initiative, encourage dialogue, and collectively paint a brighter future for all." In the week leading up to the festival, a visual art exhibition will showcase the works of 17 talented artists, including Zanele Muholi, the internationally celebrated South African photographer and visual activist. The festival will also feature an interactive poetry masterclass by Bulelwa Basse. This is open to the public but with limited seating so early arrival is encouraged. The Cape Town Arts Festival extends beyond the main event with a series of innovative programmes that will run over three months. These initiatives, such as Artists for Artists, Beyond Busking, and the Philippi PESP Project, are designed to upskill community artists, align their training with the digital age, create job opportunities, and ensure the sustainable promotion of artists. The festival will be held on December 9 and 10. Entry is free.

Source: Cape Times