By Obakeng Maje

The Department of Sport, Arts and Culture has announced that preparations for the launching of the Provincial Arts and Culture Indaba are in full swing. 

Chief Director: Arts and Culture, Libraries and Archives, Mr. Thabo Mabe, says the Indaba, which was initially scheduled for October, will now take place in November in the Dr Kenneth Kaunda District. 

“The October date was subject to a number of things being in place, matters including the venue, the completion of district indabas and the confirmation of speakers for the event,” says Mabe. “Now we have a clear schedule of district indabas, with the first one in Ngaka Modiri Molema District on October 29. We encourage all artists to participate at district level, before we engage at provincial level.

“As we speak, logistical arrangements such as the engagement of all genres, the venue, and selection of participants and confirmations of attendants are underway.”

The theme of the Indaba is: “Carving a Place for the North West in the Mzansi’s Golden Economy”, in recognition of the need for the development of cohesive and well-defined and thought-out strategies for the carving of a proper role and space in the socio-economic development of this country.

“The overall outcome is to ensure that out of the indaba we have clear guidelines regarding such critical issues as funding policy and other elements,” says Mabe. “We want to ensure that all stakeholders know the rules of the game.“

Mabe says he is impressed with the engagement of the artists, as they are critical to the success of the Indaba. Following a meeting with the artists and Premier Thandi Modise, a joint steering committee comprising artists and Departmental officials was formed. 

“Already, five members of the Arts and Culture community have been part of three meetings with Departmental staff in preparation for the Indaba. That is an impressive development, as we seek to find solutions to common challenges. I am confident that we will work together for the benefit of arts and culture in the Province.”

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By Obakeng Maje

The North West Province’s support for the universal call for attention to the essential part that reproductive health plays in creating a just and equitable world is to be amplified at the provincial event to commemorate World Population Day to be held at the Orion Hotel in Rustenburg on Thursday.

The theme adopted by the United Nations to reenergize commitments made in the past towards universal access to reproductive health and to recognise those who provide information, services and supplies as part of commemorating the 2012 World Population Day is “Universal Access to Reproductive Health Services.”

“Although reproductive health is recognised as a human rights issue which should be at the very heart of development and crucial to delivering the United Nations Population Fund vision of a world where every pregnancy is wanted, every child birth is safe, and every young person’s potential is fulfilled, problems associated with it remain the leading cause of ill health and death for women of childbearing age worldwide says Premier Thandi Modise.

Premier Modise added that with the world population having reached 7 billion, investing in sexual and reproductive health is one of the surest and most effective ways to promote equitable and sustainable development and achieve the Millennium Development Goals.

“We are challenged to take urgent concerted action to bridge the gap between demand and supply of reproductive health care because women and young people who are in good health, and who have the power and the means to make their decisions about how many children to have–and when to have them, are better able to contribute to the development of their societies If we can reach the poorest and most vulnerable communities with reproductive health information and services, we can save many lives and improve countless others. We will also make significant strides in reducing poverty, advancing development and protecting human rights.” she stressed

The provincial commemoration hosted by the Planning Commission in the Office of the Premier in partnership with the United Nations Population Fund and the Provincial Department of a Health is intended at promoting and informing citizens on various aspects of reproductive and sexual health will determine whether we are committed to the idea that everyone has a right to reproductive health.

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