By Nangamso Mabindla
23 August 2006

THE Eastern Cape will kick off Heritage Month with the opening of a new audiovisual centre named after one of South Africa's most celebrated musicians in East London on Friday, 1 September.

The launch of the multi-purpose centre, which aims to keep local talented musicians in the province, is in line with the department of arts and culture's theme for Heritage Month, Celebrating our Music, Our Heritage. It is an initiative of the provincial department of sport and recreation, arts and culture, the University of Fort Hare and Buffalo City.

The City's cultural heritage coordinator Mzodidi Kwinana said that though the centre was launched in 2004, people still did not know much about it. "That is why next week's launch is going to be big; and it will also create awareness about the existence of this facility."

The center, in Oxford Street, will also receive a new name – the Miriam Makeba Centre, named after the world-renowned South African singer. "We will unveil the new name at the launch next Friday," Kwinana said. Makeba was selected because "she's known world wide and we felt that because of her contribution to music, her name would be appropriate for the center".

The minister of arts and culture Pallo Jordan, the Eastern Cape premier Nosimo Balindlela, Buffalo City mayor Zintle Peter, the MEC for arts and culture Abrahams Ntantiso are expected to attend the launch.

"We will also have some well known jazz artists performing, and SABC's Morning Live will broadcast the event," Kwinana said. "We want to celebrate Heritage Month by encouraging local artists to stay here."

Project manager and jazz legend Hotep Galeta said the centre would boast state-of-the-art equipment including soundproof recording studios. "This will have world-class facilities and we hope that with it we will produce our own music legends. This is a very big investment by both the department of arts and culture and the University of Fort Hare," he said.

Galeta, who has a Masters Degree in jazz, said he was really excited about next week's event. "I am also happy that the minister will be attending; we really are looking forward to the launch."

The centre will not only produce artists; another exciting option for talented musicians is the Bachelor's Degree in Music Production and Technology that will be offered at the center. It will also offer studies in sound engineering.

The centre, which will cost an estimated R22-million to complete, will boast two editing suites, four practice rooms, a main studio, a voice room, a restaurant and other facilities needed for a recording studio. It will be able to host around 500 people, with a fully equipped stage for future music extravaganzas.