Artists, community activists and members and supporters of the Cape Cultural Collective (CCC) gathered at the District Six Homecoming Centre on Friday February 24, for the launch of the collective’s 10th anniversary year.
There was impromptu music, dance and poetry performances in celebration of an organisation that has grown from humble beginnings in an Irish pub 10 years ago, to a formidable force for artistic creativity and social change.
The collective hosts monthly cultural programmes, community fundraisers and collaborations with many artists and community groups.
They also have a poetry anthology and the Uhadi poetry production was performed in Paris in 2013.
Among their projects are the Rosa choir and junior Rosa choir.
Cape Cultural Collective chairperson Mansoor Jaffer told those present that the success of the collective had come through the “combined efforts and energy and the common vision of many people over the years.”
He outlined the organisation’s plans for the 10th anniversary year. These include the launch event at the Homecoming Centre where the CCC website and a 10th anniversary logo was unveiled; cultural programmes; a showcase event at Artscape relating the CCC journey through music, poetry and dance; a public event in a park with arts, culture and food; the consolidation of the Rosa adult and junior choirs; an arts and culture summit; the launch of the Manenberg Cultural Collective, an anniversary exhibition;the roll out of a skills development programme; the expansion of cultural tourism initiatives; and working with Communicare on arts and culture programmes.
