South African music and film
takes centre stage in Los Angeles
The world’s entertainment capital took on a distinctly South
African flavour , when the Department of Arts and Culture
launched the inaugural South African Arts Festival 2013 (SAAF),
in Downtown Los Angeles in the United States. SAAF 2013
showcased seven local films and seven musicians representing
the diversity of the South African experience at free events over
two days.
The Festival is part of the Department’s Mzansi Golden
Economy Strategy, which aims to place arts, culture and
heritage at the centre of efforts to create sustainable livelihoods,
skills development and economic growth, by amongst others,
opening up new markets for South Africa’s creative talent.
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“We want to use the US as a gateway to world markets for
South African products. Los Angeles, is leading the world in the
creation of motion pictures, television and stage productions,
video games, and recorded music. We are happy to be creating
an opportunity for South Africans to showcase their skills, interact
with and build mutually beneficial relationships with influential
role-players in this sector,” said Sibusiso Xaba, Director General
of the DAC.
In launching the festival, Xaba also spoke of the benefits the
festival will have on relations between the people of the US
and South Africa. “There has been a shared history, especially
during our country’s struggle for democracy, between South
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