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An agreement has been
reached between the CMDA and the Lockhat family, who own the building,
to use the top floor of the building for the development of a community
art and craft centre. The ground floor and the first floor are being converted
into a shopping centre.
Contractors are hard
at work renovating the building, while local artists have been given an
opportunity to showcase their talents by painting murals on the walls.
Sizimisele Development
Trust, which has won a tender to develop the skills of unemployed Cato
Manor residents by teaching them crafting skills, has already taken occupation
of the building. The European Union and the Metro Economic Development
Department have made funds available for the development of these skills
and the construction of the centre. Several other funding institutions
have been approached and are likely to support the project.
Training of the first group of 80 local people is already in progress.
The new art centre
was initiated by the Ithunga Art Project, in collaboration with the CMDA,
Centre for Creative Arts at the University of Natal and the Department
of Fine Arts at the Technikon Natal. The Art Centre will offer courses
to Cato Manor residents. A competition to identify art talent amongst
the youth of Cato Manor is being run.
While this is seen
as a local economic development opportunity, the project is also viewed
as an effort to tap into the growing tourism industry in KwaZulu-Natal.
It is expected that the arts and craft centre, together with the Cato
Manor tourism office at Intuthuko Junction, (under construction) and other
tourism projects all over Cato Manor, will attract local and international
tourists in search of a real African experience.
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Artists put the final touches on a mural at the Cato
Manor Art and Craft Centre. The centre will boost local economic development
and serve as a tourist attraction.
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Art
Competition
We are looking for 10 talented young artists
Win
a week of Art Lessons 
at the Cato Manor Art & Craft Centre
during the Christmas Holidays.
Send us a drawing on the subject of “Life in Cato Manor”. The
best drawings will be published in the next edition of IZWI and
winning artists will attend a week-long course of art lessons
at the centre. Art materials will be provided.
Competition rules
1. The Competition is open to High School Pupils who live in Cato
Manor only.
2. Bring your drawing with your name, address, name of school,
grade and class details to: The IZWI Editor, Highway House Suite
119, Mayville. Closing date is Friday 16 November. The judges’
decision is final and no
correspondence will be entered into.
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