EAST LONDON- The Cultural and Creative Industries Federation of South Africa- Buffalo City MetropolitanMunicipality(CCIFSA BCMM) recently hosted a meeting between the Buffalo City Metropolitan Municipality(BCMM) artists and the Eastern Cape Department of Sports, Arts and Culture(EC DSRAC) at East London Guild Theatre on 19th March 2025.
The gathering aimed to address pressing issues affecting the city’s artists, including inadequate support and involvement in the municipality’s Arts Sector Development Programs.
Owner of Extra Ordinary Mitables, a wool-creation business established in 2023 Thozama Kuza, expressed her concerns, “As artists and creatives we often lack a platform to voice our concerns and our work is frequently undervalued. We need opportunities for funding to be made available to support our craft. Personally, I would love to acquire machinery to streamline my wool-creation process, which is currently time-consuming and done by hand.”
BCMM Head of Department at Economic Development Noludwe Ncokazi acknowledged the significance of the creative industry, “We recognize the creative industry’s contributions to the local economy as outlined in our Integrated Development Plan(IDP). This sector not only drives economic growth but also enhances other aspects of our development.”
In addition, CCIFSA-BCM chairperson Zama Ntshona emphasized the organization’s commitment to supporting the diverse artistic community. “Our goal is to equip musicians, dancers, actors, any other artists with the skills necessary to turn their passions into sustainable businesses,” Ntshona explained.
CCIFSA aims to serve as a unified platform bridging geographical divides and providing a collective voice for artists from various regions. “We promise to provide a foundation for artists to build upon, fostering unity and advocacy to ensure their success,” Ntshona said.
Furthermore by offering a supportive ecosystem, Ccifsa seeks to empower local artists, enabling them to thrive and contribute to the vibrant cultural landscape of the region.The meeting marked a crucial step towards fostering collaboration between local artists, the municipality, and the Department of Sports, Arts and Culture.
As the conversation continues, artists and stakeholders alike hope to establish a more supportive and inclusive environment for the creative industry to thrive.
Photograph: CCIFSA BCM Chairperson, Zama Ntshoma
Photograph: supplied
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