THANK YOU ALEX THEATRE COMPANY & ACADEMY
A Note of Appreciation to Alex Theatre Company and Academy
The Creative Passport Online Media Publication extends its sincere appreciation to Alex Theatre Company and Academy for partnering with us as one of the official media partners during the 2026 National Community Arts Indaba.
This partnership was not symbolic. It was a deliberate and committed collaboration, anchored in a shared belief that community arts conversations must be documented, amplified, and made accessible beyond conference rooms and formal programmes.
The Creative Passport demonstrated this commitment through a daily posting schedule over a full week, leading up to the Indaba, throughout its duration, and until its closing day.
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Image: Community Arts Indaba Sitting (Source: Arts TV)
Beyond Coverage: Active Participation
Beyond publishing content, The Creative Passport was present — physically, intellectually, and critically.
The Founding Editor, Thami akaMbongo Manzana, attended the Indaba from start to finish, engaging with delegates, listening to diverse perspectives, participating in conversations, and reflecting the lived experiences of practitioners on the ground.
This approach reflects our belief that meaningful arts journalism cannot be done from a distance. It requires presence, listening, and accountability to the sector we serve.
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Image: Community Arts Indaba Sitting (Source: Arts TV)
The Conversation Does Not End Here
While the National Community Arts Indaba has formally concluded, the conversations it ignited do not end with the programme.
For The Creative Passport, the Indaba marked a continuation — not a conclusion — of sustained engagement around community arts, policy, governance, access, and representation.
These conversations will continue on our platform, not necessarily on a daily basis, but as part of an ongoing editorial commitment to critical reflection, sector dialogue, and practitioner voices.
Image: Community Arts Indaba Sitting (Source: Arts TV)
Gratitude to the Community
We extend our gratitude to all practitioners, organisers, delegates, and readers who engaged with, shared, and responded to The National Community Arts Indaba Special Edition.
Your feedback, messages, and engagements affirmed the importance of independent platforms that document the sector honestly and fearlessly.
Image: Community Arts Indaba Sitting (Source: Arts TV)
A Word of Reflection and Apology
In the spirit of transparency and ethical practice, we acknowledge that some content may have caused discomfort or offence to certain individuals or institutions.
Where offence was taken — whether through interpretation or participation — we offer our sincere apologies.
Our intention has always been to contribute constructively to sector growth, not to divide or alienate.
An Open Invitation to Collaborate
The Creative Passport remains open to partnerships and collaborations with individuals, institutions, and organisations who share our commitment to integrity, community-centred practice, and critical engagement.
We welcome dialogue and collaboration, provided it does not contradict the core values and principles that define our platform.
Once again, we thank Alex Theatre Company and Academy for walking this journey with us and for recognising the power of media as a tool for visibility, accountability, and sector development.
The work continues.
Final Thought | A Necessary and Urgent Intervention
As we close this chapter of reflection, The Creative Passport believes it is necessary to place on record a matter that cannot be postponed, softened, or ignored.
An urgent intervention by the Department of Sport, Arts and Culture (DSAC) is required to address the current funding allocations to Community Arts Centres in Limpopo Province. The disparities are no longer theoretical — they are visible, structural, and deeply consequential for practitioners and communities on the ground.
If we are truly serious — and not selective or selfish — about redress, redefining, and repositioning the Community Arts sector, then this commitment must begin with equitable support across all provinces, particularly those that remain historically and structurally underfunded.
Limpopo cannot continue to be spoken about rhetorically while being marginalised materially.
Redress demands more than policy language. It requires deliberate financial correction, political will, and collective sector advocacy. This is not a Limpopo issue alone — it is a national responsibility. The entire sector must rally behind Limpopo Province to ensure increased and fair funding allocations for Community Arts Centres.
Anything less risks reproducing the very inequalities we claim to be dismantling.
This is a call — not for sympathy — but for action, accountability, and courage.
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