A FLOURISHING COMMUNITY
Waldimar Pelser
M-NET Director: kykNET Channels
When can we describe a community as flourishing? To flourish means to have more than a roof over one’s head and food on the table. Thriving communities are constantly in discussion, both internally and externally. Healthy communities engage in conversations with themselves, with their history, and with other communities through words, sound and images. They do this through discourse, music, the performing and visuale arts. Also through theatre, television and film. It’s a vibrant endeavour, this conversation, and requires the willingness to listen as well as talk, and to look as well as show.
GET TOGETHER AND THINK TOGETHER IN STELLENBOSCH
Dr. Leslie van Rooi
Senior Director: Social Impact and Transformation, Stellenbosch University
If, like me, you too are flipping through the pages of this extraordinary Woordfees guide and starting to jot down the productions that you would like to see, you are probably feeling a little overwhelmed by the variety of productions and experiences on offer. Is there any other way to feel? The Woordfees is back as a physical festival and all of Stellenbosch and its people are excited at the prospect of receiving you. The variety of choices and experiences offered at the festival mirrors the diversity of people and ideas held important by us at the University.
MEDIA24
Ishmet Davidson
Executive Officer: Media24
For more than 20 years, arts lovers have marked their diaries in anticipation of an important annual event – the Woordfees in Stellenbosch. Being able to gather with friends and fellow arts lovers under the majestic oak trees has always been a unique part of this festival’s charm, and it is wonderful to be able to do it again after all the virtual gatherings. Thank you to the organisers, artists, cosponsors and all who have worked so hard behind the scenes for the past two years to keep the arts alive and make the festival possible once again.
TOYOTA SUID-AFRIKA MOTORS
Leon Theron
Senior Vice President of Sales and Marketing at Toyota SA
On behalf of Toyota South Africa Motors, I would like to say we are both honoured and thrilled to be part of the 2022 Toyota SU Woordfees arts festival. As a brand that is deeply entrenched in South African culture and local communities, we’ve been encouraged by the positive feedback generated by our association with Woordfees. The first event was a resounding success – not just for the festival organisers, but for us partners as well. Toyota is therefore immensely proud of this partnership.
WILDLY NECESSARY
Cornelia Faasen
Chief Executive Officer: National Theatre Initiative (NATi)
What can one say about the last two years – about the arts, and theatre specifically – that hasn’t already been said? That it was difficult? That the theatre and artists suffered greatly? We know the things that have happened to us. The real test lies ahead: How will festivals adapt and, indeed rise, from the ashes of one of the world’s most difficult challenges?
