Ministers, deputy ministers, premiers, MECs and local government leaders interacted with communities in over three hundred activities (imbizos) throughout the country. Imbizos build partnerships for implementation of government´s mandated programme of action, by bringing national, provincial and local government together to interact with the communities.

Through the imbizo, government and communities share ideas on how to join hands in a national efforts for safer communities. It is a platform for communities to partner with government to eradicate poverty and create a better life for all.

The deputy minister of Arts and Culture, Ntombazana Botha, and the Limpopo MEC for Sports, Art and Culture, Joyce Mashamba, visited several arts and culture projects in the Vhembe District on Tuesday. The visit commenced with a tour of the projects and then interacted with the community (imbizo) with a view to understanding the needs of the community and improving service delivery.

The official visit kicked off at Noria Mabasa´s homestead at Tshino-Vuwani. Mabasa is a renowned sculptor whose works have been displayed around the world. The deligation also checked on progress at the art gallery that is being contructed at Mabasa´s yard. The gallery was sponsored by the Department of Arts and Culture.

The deligation then went to the Mukondeni Pottery Project before proceeding to the Mahsmba Art Gallery. They then went to Mbhokota-Jackson Hlungwani´s Project and finally went to Lemana Multi-Purpose Community Centre, where Botha spoke to the communities.

Local artists voiced different concerns which include tha fact that it is very difficult to access governmenmt services as far as arts are concerned. They also complained about not being given enough opportunity to showcase their talents at provincial and national arts festivals. They also complained that artists from other provinces are the ones who are given prefence to perform at government functions in Limpopo, whereas the bona fide Limpopo artists are being ignored.

In responding to the concerns, Botha said the government will make sure that all artists are given given enough chance to showcase their talents. She added that the compilation of the artist database will make sure that all the artists rotate at different arts festivals instead of featuring the same artists.