Algoa FM
The Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality has set aside R3.5 million for the 31st edition of the Splash Festival with almost 17 % of the budget focused on boosting local talent.
The Munipalicity officially launched the much-loved family-orientated festival set to take place over Easter weekend, on Thursday.
Event organiser, Darren Mungur, says the festival has partnered up with the Nelson Mandela Bay Art Museum to get more original crafters and the selection process is ongoing.
He said the art fraternity was hard hit by the Covid-19 pandemic and a conscious decision was taken to remunerate local artists on a scale in line with performances in the industry.
Mungur said this year there was a record-breaking record of submissions with close to 700 applications from local artists.
"I honestly didn't know that the creative scene is that big in town. We have gone through the process of eliminating and we will run auditions this week," he added.
Local artists will be given 68 slots over the weekend.
Mungur said the Metro and the festival are working towards spending 20-25% on the local art fraternity.
He said the festival will cater to the needs of all festivalgoers with national celebrity guests like "J Something" doing a food demonstration and then performing later in the evening.
The much-loved wrestling will also be making a comeback this year.
Sport Recreation, Arts and Culture political head, Councillor Bassie Kamana said the isiXhosa Music Festival will take residents and visitors on a unique exploration of culture through food, traditional regalia, and music.
Turning to the current water crisis facing the city, Kamana said that the Metro will make a plan to ensure that there are ablution facilities for festivalgoers.
"In the past few years, we had some good rain and we are hoping that we get the rain and our God will never forsake us. People must not worry we will make a plan even when it comes to ablutions. It would be very irresponsible of the Municipality to not make a plan," Kamana added.
