Pretoria – Minister of Arts and Culture Nathi Mthethwa has urged South Africans to continue to support the arts and buy tickets to shows following hip-hop artist Cassper Nyovest’s historical accomplishment at the weekend.
Nyovest was the first musician to fill the 20 000 seating capacity Dome in Johannesburg’s Northgate without the assistance of an international act.
Minister Mthethwa said Nyovest demonstrated that South African audiences can and do support local acts.
“This is a victory for Cassper Nyovest and also a triumph for local content. By drawing attention through #Fillupthedome, the message is also clear that local content empowers individuals to sustain their livelihoods and enhance their contribution to the social and economic empowerment of our society,” he said.
The Minister said with the current revision of the White Paper on Arts, Culture and Heritage underway, his department was taking a hard look at the current arts landscape and finding the best ways of increasing support for the arts, expanding the spaces for local content and making the arts accessible to all.
“We have also made a modest start in building youth leadership through appointing social cohesion youth advocates.
“We shall engage Cassper Nyovest on how he can assist and come on board in making this a success,” Minister Mthethwa said.
On Monday, President Jacob Zuma also congratulated Nyovest.
"We congratulate Cassper Nyovest for his tremendous success which has demonstrated the rich talent that exists within our country's music industry, especially amongst our youth,” President Zuma said. – SAnews.gov.za
