Cultural artists should be more than performers called in to entertain crowds at political rallies — they should be central to preserving heritage, developing rural tourism and creating sustainable livelihoods. That is the vision behind a new dance and drama festival launched by Mthatha-based theatre veteran Khanyiso “Billy” Dakada, aimed at uncovering and nurturing talent across the OR Tambo district. Through his Khanyiso Social Enterprise, Dakada has founded the OR Tambo Dance and Drama Festival, which will be hosted annually as part of OR Tambo Month celebrations in October and funded by the National Arts Council of SA.
No official date has yet been set for this year’s event. “It is going to rotate around all the local municipalities within the OR Tambo district,” Dakada said. “Most cultural festivals are hosted in Mthatha, but through this one I want it to reach rural areas where there is no cultural tourism.
“The idea is to develop talent where people live, without forcing them to come to the cities just to be seen.” Born in Komani, Dakada has built a decades-long career in theatre as a writer, director and actor. He is also known for mentoring several SA television stars, including Mthatha-born actor Jet Novuka andScandal!actress Nondumiso Zweni. He said many artists in the district were still being marginalised and used mainly as entertainment during political events, instead of being supported to build careers.
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“In many cases, artists are only invited to open programmes for politicians. “Even where festivals exist, most are organised and run by government instead of by the artists themselves,” he said.
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