Silence, Delay, and a Sector Left in the Dark by Thami akaMbongo Manzana There are only 15 days left before the National Arts Festival in Makhanda, yet a troubling silence hangs over the cultural and creative sector. Practitioners and organisations who applied for support through the National Arts Council are still waiting for outcomes that were reportedly meant to be announced on 29 May 2026. No communication. No clear explanation. No accountability. And in that silence, uncertainty grows. The question is no longer simply about delayed funding. It is about governance, communication, and respect for an entire sector that carries the emotional, cultural, and economic heartbeat of the country. Who is responsible for the delay? Is the delay sitting with the Department of Sport, Arts and Culture, or is it deeper within the decision-making chain of the Minister himself? Or is it somewhere in-between—lost in administrative corridors where accountability becomes blurred and responsibili...

  POLITICAL WIND-CHASERS, AND THE COST OF RELEVANCE  By Thami akaMbongo Manzana  There is a growing pattern in the cultural and creative space where some artists, performers, and public figures position themselves not as independent voices, but as political chameleons constantly shifting alignment depending on where influence, access, or visibility is strongest. This is not new. It is simply becoming more visible in a digital age where attention is currency, and proximity to power is often mistaken for success. Opportunist alignment whether by artists or cultural figures often follows a predictable cycle: attach to political power, amplify that proximity, and convert it into exposure .  In the short term, it may work. Some gain platforms, bookings, funding opportunities, or media attention. But in the long term, it raises a deeper question: at what cost does relevance come when it is borrowed from political convenience rather than earned through consistent artistic i...

  NOT EVERY ACTOR NEEDS ANOTHER AUDITION. SOME ACTORS NEED A HOME TO GROW.  The acting profession has become obsessed with one question: "When will I become famous?" Perhaps the better question is: "When will I become a better actor?" Too many performers spend years chasing the next commercial, the next television appearance, the next social media moment, or the next opportunity to be seen. Yet many never get the chance to build the discipline, consistency, and range that turns a performer into a true artist. There is dignity in knowing where your next pay cheque is coming from. There is value in working consistently. There is power in being part of an ensemble that demands excellence every day. The greatest actors in the world were not built by fame. They were built by rehearsal rooms, touring productions, difficult texts, challenging roles, long hours, and a commitment to mastering their craft. A repertory company offers something many performers rarely experience...