UKZN’s Centre for Creative Arts (CCA) recently received a significant boost of R800 000 in funding from the National Lottery Commission, facilitated by the UKZN Foundation, which will play a crucial role in expanding the reach and impact of the CCA's flagship event, Poetry Africa.
The 28th edition of Poetry Africa, renowned for its diverse programming and ability to draw poets from across the globe, is set to benefit directly from this funding. According to Dr Ismail Mahomed, Director of the CCA, the National Lottery Commission 's support will enable the festival to expand its programming, creating more opportunities for local and international poets to showcase their work. ‘The funding will allow us to affirm Poetry Africa's status as a leading cultural event,’ said Mahomed.
One of the key initiatives supported by this funding is Poetry Africa’s popular Slam Poetry Competition, which has become a hallmark of the festival, providing a platform for emerging poets to gain recognition. Mahomed announced that the winner of the 2024 Slam Poetry Competition will have the honour of representing South Africa at the World Slam Poetry Competition in Mexico in 2025, thanks to the financial backing from the National Lottery Commission.
The successful acquisition of this funding was made possible through the collaboration between the CCA and the UKZN Foundation. While the CCA designed the project business plan, the UKZN Foundation provided the necessary governance structures to meet the strict eligibility criteria set by the National Lottery Commission. ‘The Foundation’s support, particularly from Donor Relations Manager, Ms Bukiwe Biyela, and Director, Mr Steve Camp, was invaluable in navigating the bureaucratic challenges of the application process,’ Mahomed noted.
With this funding, the CCA is also set to launch new initiatives, including a pilot Slam Poetry Competition for high school learners, which is designed to engage younger audiences and nurture the next generation of spoken word artists.
The CCA is a major contributor to the South African creative and cultural industries, generating approximately 600 job opportunities for artists annually and securing around R68 million in media coverage. With the new funding, the CCA aims to expand this impact even further, offering more opportunities for artists and increasing the visibility of the South African creative sector both locally and internationally.
While the process of securing the funding was not without its challenges, including navigating the complex bureaucracy of the National Lottery Commission, Mahomed acknowledged that these hurdles were necessary to ensure compliance and transparency. The support from the UKZN Foundation was crucial in managing these challenges, allowing the CCA to focus on its creative vision.
This funding aligns with the CCA’s long-term vision of positioning itself as a leader among South African festivals. Earlier this year, the CCA hosted 45 festival and cultural producers over a five-day period, showcasing its best practices. Mahomed believes that the continued support from the National Lottery Commission will be instrumental in maintaining and enhancing the CCA’s status as a leading producer of African festivals, benefitting both the creative industries and academic institutions.
Looking ahead, the CCA is committed to strengthening its business model to attract further funding and partnerships. Mahomed emphasised that the CCA’s track record of success, supported by strong governance and creative excellence, will continue to draw valuable associations with funders and partners.
Though the current funding from the National Lottery Commission is for a single year, Mahomed is optimistic about the future. He believes that the CCA's high standards of creative output, combined with the UKZN Foundation’s robust governance, will enable the CCA to advance its mission to be a centre of excellence at UKZN.
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