By Nangamso Mabindla
4 September 2006

THE Eastern Cape celebrated the start of Heritage Month with a bang when it launched the new Miriam Makeba Centre for Performing Arts in East London on Friday, 1 September.

An initiative of jazz legend Hotep Galeta, and supported by the University of Fort Hare and the department of arts and culture, the centre aims to curb the music brain drain and keep local artists in the province.

The launch was attended by the minister of arts and culture, Pallo Jordan, Eastern Cape premier Nosimo Balindlela, the provincial MEC for arts and culture, Noxolo Abrahams-Ntantiso, and Buffalo City executive mayor Zintle Peter.

Speaking about the role the centre would play in nurturing local artists, Jordan said that the new state-of-the-art performing arts centre demonstrated government's commitment to affirming the country's musicians, especially those from the Eastern Cape.

"This multi-media centre, named the Miriam Makeba Performing Arts Centre, will not only focus on working with and training musicians from the Eastern Cape but will also contribute to the economy of the province by creating employment opportunities for persons with technical aptitude and the desire to acquire knowledge of the music industry," said Jordan.

Jordan told guests that music was the most expressive form of art and it touched every aspect of life.

"We use it to express emotions of love and affection. Regrettably, we use music too to express the opposite emotion, hate. Through music, we express our commitment to each other as a community, which is why every social unit usually has an anthem," added Jordan. "We use music to remind ourselves of our co-responsibility for each others as members of the same society: It is essential for social cohesion."

The multi-media centre was not only going to produce musicians; another exciting option for talented musicians is the Bachelor's Degree in Music Production and Technology (through the University of Fort Hare) that will be offered at the centre. It will also offer studies in sound engineering.

Professor Derrick Swartz said that the centre would offer opportunities to artists interested in jazz, choral and indigenous music. "Because of the province's rich cultural heritage, these forms of music are very popular down here," he said.

Following all the formalities, the Mister of Arts and Culture cut the ribbon officially to open the center.