Article by Eric Magamana Rikhotso
Nkowankowa – Local artists from the Greater Tzaneen Municipality gathered for a three-day empowerment workshop held at Muhlaba Hall 1 (Nkowankowa Community Hall). The event was organized by the Limpopo Department of Sport, Arts and Culture (Mopani District) in collaboration with the Greater Tzaneen Municipality’s Arts and Culture Unit and a university in Limpopo Province (Technology Transfer Unit).
The workshop aimed to equip both emerging and established artists with essential business and creative skills to strengthen their presence in the competitive arts industry. Sessions covered digital marketing, intellectual property and commercialization, branding, financial management, consistency, reliability, and contracts.
Facilitators encouraged participants to leverage modern tools for promoting their art, particularly through digital platforms and online branding strategies. Discussions also emphasized the importance of protecting creative work through intellectual property rights and turning talent into sustainable business ventures.
Throughout the three days, artists actively engaged and participated in the sessions, asking questions, sharing experiences, and exchanging ideas. They also had the opportunity to showcase their talents through live performances, singing, and exhibitions. The energy in the room reflected a strong sense of unity and shared vision among creatives from across the municipality.
The workshop concluded with words of encouragement from representatives of the Department of Sport, Arts and Culture and the Greater Tzaneen Municipality, highlighting the importance of continued support and collaboration to grow the local creative economy.
This initiative forms part of the province’s ongoing efforts to empower and professionalize the arts sector, ensuring that local artists can thrive not only creatively but also economically.
