Cultural Calabash

Presentation

22 September 2006

Mmabana Cultural Centre, Taung, North West Province

The North West Cultural

Calabash is the premier rural

arts festival in South Africa's

North West Province. It gives a

creative outlet to previously

disadvantaged artists.

It is a year long event that

culminates in a major festival in

September, it features

competitions, workshops, shows

and associated industries.

I always do my best to help the client no matter

how difficult the request. The t-shirts opposite

were ordered, printed in Pretoria, and shipped to

Taung arriving on 21st September 06. The whole

process happened in 6 days including the two

days it took to ship them via courier.

Mmabana Cultural Centre, Taung, North West Province

Mmabana Cultural Centre was established

with the aim of uplifting the community of

Taung. There are preschool classes for

local children, Adult Basic Education

classes for their parents, as well as

classes teaching skills such as art, sewing

etc. It is a centre run by a very dedicated

group of people for the people of the area.

It is sponsored by Transnet and the North

West Province local government.

Taung is limited in its facilities and

offerings to organisations and companies

wanting to hold functions. One can

generally only order white or cream linen

and white plastic tables and chairs. This

year the Calabash organisers wanted

something more up-market and opulent

for their opening ceremony.

Setting up on the day of the function…

How do you make a security check point

beautiful? As the Premier was the keynote

speaker at the function – her security

detail arrived at lunchtime to sweep the

area and set up the metal detectors! No

pass – no entry!

Earning my keep! As part of an upliftment

scheme in the area, the waitering staff

were all fairly new at their jobs, with

limited training, so there was a fair amount

of overseeing of the catering of the

function. This is why it’s important to have

a team member of your own, to assist with

such matters.

A feast fit for a King!

The catering provided a definite

challenge for us, as the location is

150km south of Kimberly. Aside from

your standard cocktail platter

selection of chicken legs,

Samoosas, and sausages, the more

exotic fresh produce such as the

prawn rissoles were hard to come

by and as a result, the choices for

caterers was limited.

Top right: Hennie Baird organiser of

the Cultural Calabash with caterer

Wim Lock from Baron’s Galley

Lodge

Whilst waiting for the speeches the guests were treated to a local string quartet.