The eThekwini Municipality hosted a visual creative art experience on Thursday morning at Jameson Park in Durban.
Vusi Mazibuko, acting head of Parks, Recreation and Culture at eThekwini Municipality said the purpose of the event was to celebrate and promote the work of local artists.
“We have a responsibility to make sure that our culture and heritage is promoted and protected. To make sure that it is used to create job opportunities, showcase talent and it is also used to attract tourists to the city,” he said.
Mazibuko said the arts are equally important to give people an identity and because it can bring people together. He added that the creative arts industry had been facing challenges because of the Covid-19 pandemic.
Several artists were invited by the municipality to showcase their work and to interact with members of the public. High school pupils from different parts of the city also attended the exhibition to learn more about art.
Zakhele Hlabisa, who is a visual artist, said he was happy to be part of the event and to showcase his work.
“Being here brings hope because ever since the pandemic started people have been losing their jobs or having their salaries cut, which had a bad impact on us artists. Art became a luxury to our clients, because they were trying to survive. It was hard for them to buy artwork,” he said.
He said being on Level 1 lockdown brought hope that things are going to get better.
“There will probably be income for us artists because most of us are relying on art only to survive,” he said.
He also thanked the Department of Sports, Arts and Culture for the Covid-19 grant.
Author Siphesihle Maseko, who was showcasing her book titled My Scars were too late, urged pupils to love and care for one another.
THE MERCURY