Nyanga Arts Development Centre to get a new building
The Nyanga Art Development Centre (NADC) is fast emerging as a major centre of art in the Cape Metro.
On Saturday September 24, the NADC hosted a Heritage Day event as part of its Community Arts Programme, Artists in Schools (AiS).
The AiS Programme, under the umbrella of the Department of Sports, Arts and Culture, was established to equip people with skills in visual arts, poetry, literature and crafts. The programme aims to create career opportunities for people of all ages.
On the day of the event, project manager, Lwazi Maseti, revealed the news that the department had promised to build a new structure for them. Speaking to the crowd, Mr Maseti encouraged the community, the youth in particular, to make a statement in their lives by staying away from the streets and drugs by committing themselves to art and education.
“Through the school programme that started way back in 2018, the department saw our commitment and we have been compliant,” he told Vukani.
“We have served the schools in Langa, Nyanga, Gugulethu, Mbekweni, Stellenbosch and other areas with pride. Now we are going to get a new structure. We have been pleading with them and now we are going to have a proper structure.”
The centre’s primary objective was to create a platform for local artists to make a living from their art and groom the young ones.
He added that should the building come to fruition, things would change for the centre which had been plagued by break-ins and vandalism.
“Another objective is to help youth at risk. In our areas we are facing drugs and alcohol,” he said.
Nosisana Nama, manager NADC welcomed the news.
“Every year we pride ourselves on new achievements in our schools. We have managed to build a bridge between the pupils and members of communities, the government, local neighbourhood art groups, and educational institutions. We deserve a better building,” she said.
She said the school programme is continuing and has had a positive impact on many children.
Suzanne Selepe, project manager at the Department of Sports, Arts and Culture confirmed that the department was in the process of building a new home for the centre. However, she added, they were waiting for the the centre to present them with the title deed for the space they are in.
“We are ready but we are just waiting for them. It is now a month we have been waiting. They are delaying the process but we will wait,” she said.
