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THE Umzinyathi District mayor, municipal manager and six artists from the ELC Arts and Craft Centre, Rorkes Drift, recently traveled to Sweden on an official municipal visit which was sponsored by the uMzinyathi District Council.
The council paid for their air tickets to Sweden and other expenses.
In response to a request from the Greytown Gazette as to the purpose and benefits of such a trip, uMzinyathi District Mayor Councillor Petros Ngubane said:
“The achievements were the opportunity to import, share skills and expertise.
“Partnership with the artists from Sweden was strengthened during the visit by the Swedish delegation to Rorkes Drift earlier this year, when the artists worked together to produce artwork and products that are currently being exhibited at the Phansi Museum in Durban,” he said.
The mayor and municipal manager also met with the local mayor and the Minister of Culture to strengthen relations and make sure the exchanging of skills will happen.
The mayor went on to say: “Benefits were that the opportunity offered to the ELC artists to participate during the Igugu Exhibition in Sweden which will help them and other artists in the district to improve their artwork, learn best practice and get exposure.
“The service delivery implications are that, by supporting the ELC Arts and Craft Centre, the municipality is responding to the recently reviewed District SMME Strategy and National Development Plan. Aspirations which identify arts and craft as an area that will be enriched by developing more markets to ensure that rural communities are able to make a living from their produce.”
