Sustainable development

Picture: ReelCreative Media

I am in deep thoughts meditating about the Grassroots arts festival way forward, its position nationally, and on the provincial level. Honestly there is great need for platforms like grassroots and they indeed are great spaces for networking launching new talent and granting coporates are more direct link with their targeted  audience.

There are more good that can come out of discussing graf than bad however on should not be naive grassroots as it stands is not a sustainable platform it will exhaust more personnel than it will get people motivated. The first mistake we did was deciding to make it a free for all event, this meant that the event is not self reliant. it is a welfare child. every time you do grassroots you run at a loss PERIOD!, no questions asked. how do you transport artist? people complain about the visibility and lack of marketing how do you decide between printing posters and securing a sound system? how do we accommodate and provide meals for the artists? 

Of cause all these are none of your concerns. You want a show and it ends there. All the other jazz is on the shoulders of the organizers. i feel that's where actually you come in how do you contribute to make sure that what you love continues on? How far would a R40 early bird ticket help to get the organisation going even if the funders who have not been so reliable involved? Be part of the movement make sure we do not stop. the more free everything the more quality and content dwindles.

Let me touch on the workshops. We have The Grassroots music summit where i feel key information gets shared SAMRO flies a delegate every year religiously to come, meet artists, share, clarify where its necessary. The numbers at the workshop will determine also if we do  continue or not because there will come a point where all these service providers feel that they do not see the returns on their investment and not send the delegates anymore. i have been approached by various music supporting agents who would love to come and touch base with the PE people. How do I begin to meet their wish when workshop or a music discussion is the last thing in the minds of the role players?

Sometimes even more strongly these days i feel what stands before the Eastern cape is not merely the resources but a mindset. in the part of all those that needs to collaborate energies to make it work they just not gelling. Government, private, artists, media everyone. sustainable development will only begin with each individual taking responsibility from fans to every entity out there.


The Mastabilda