Capacity Building at the 10th Tembisa Theatre Week From 21 February to 01 March 2026 , the 10th edition of Tembisa Theatre Week stands as a powerful declaration: community theatre is not surviving — it is building. For ten years, this festival has existed against the odds. Out of those ten years, only two editions received funding , while eight were delivered without financial backing . That reality alone speaks volumes about commitment, sacrifice and belief in community arts development. This year marks a turning point. The festival is funded by the National Arts Council of South Africa through the Presidential Employment Stimulus Programme (PESP 6). It is a reminder that when public resources meet consistent community work, growth becomes possible. But beyond the ten productions on stage, what truly defines this year’s edition is its robust Capacity Building Programme — entirely FREE OF CHARGE.                    Image  Source: ...

  PHD SYNDROME IS KILLING THE CULTURAL AND CREATIVE INDUSTRIES IN SOUTH AFRICA There is a PhD that is meant to be celebrated — a Doctor of Philosophy, the highest academic achievement, a symbol of discipline, research and mastery. But there is another PHD quietly destroying the Cultural and Creative Industries in South Africa. PHD: Pull Her Down. Pull Him Down. And this one is not a qualification. It is a sickness. We are an industry that gives flowers when someone has passed on. We write long tributes. We post heartfelt messages. We speak about “legends” and “icons.” Yet many of those same people were not fully supported, protected, or celebrated while they were alive. Their brilliance was often met with silence, jealousy or quiet resistance. Why is it easier to honour the dead than to uplift the living? This is an industry where the spotlight can feel like a curse. The moment it is your time to shine, someone — somewhere — is working overtime to dim that light. To question your l...

Why This Open Letter by Townahip And Rural Creative Freelancers Network Must Be Heard As The Creative Passport , we find it deeply concerning that the President can open a State of the Nation Address with the powerful words of a Khoi-San poet — drawing on the spiritual and symbolic strength of arts and culture — yet remain silent on the actual state of the arts in the country. If poetry is powerful enough to frame the nation’s direction, then the sector that produces that poetry deserves more than symbolism. It deserves policy attention. It deserves budget commitment. It deserves structural support. Arts cannot be used as inspiration at the podium and then be absent in planning, funding and national priorities. That contradiction is precisely why this letter must be heard.            Image: Pres. Cytil Ramaphosa      (Source: SA Government ) To: His Excellency, Cyril Ramaphosa From : Township and Rural Creatives Network Subject: A Call to Tak...

REVIEW: MDANTSANE ARTS WORKSHOP PROGRAMME – DAY 2 Dimbaza Shack Theatre, King William’s Town    Image  Source: Linda Sebezo Foundation Day 2 of the Mdantsane Arts Workshop Programme, hosted at the Dimbaza Shack Theatre in King William’s Town, powerfully built on the foundation laid in Ilinge. Maintaining the same effective format, the day focused on participant preparation, discipline, and an intensive Acting Master Class led by the legendary Linda Sebezo .  Attendance mirrored that of Day 1, reaffirming the strong appetite for meaningful arts programmes within the community.      Image  Source: Linda Sebezo Foundation What distinguished Day 2 was the deliberate and conscious engagement with social ills , positioning the arts not only as a tool for creative development but as a mechanism for community dialogue, healing, and social awareness. Through performance, discussion, and guided reflection, participants were encouraged to confront real issue...

  Ministers come and go. What remains is the impact they leave behind — and the precedents they set. South Africa has seen many political rises, some meteoric, some carefully calculated.  Gayton McKenzie’s ascent into the national executive — particularly into a portfolio responsible for Social Cohesion and Nation Building — is one of the most debated appointments of the current political era.  To some, it signalled disruption and fresh energy. To others, it was a warning sign disguised as bold leadership. The truth, as always, lies in the questions we ask — and the patterns we observe. Understanding the Rise: Power, Performance, and Popularity Gayton McKenzie’s political rise did not happen in a vacuum. It was built on: A confrontational political style Clear populist messaging A willingness to say what others avoid Strategic positioning ahead of 2026 and 2029 elections His leadership within his own political party has shown a centralised, personality-driven model of po...