Pinnacle Point starts an arts, culture association

MOSSEL BAY NEWS - Pinnacle Point Estate hosted its first proper black tie event on Thursday, 7 July, to mark the launch of the Pinnacle Point Art and Culture Association.

The association is the delightful result of Christmas and Easter pantomimes, staged in December 2021 and April 2022, which emphasised the need for a creative platform to showcase the talent of the Pinnacle Point community.

Both pantomimes, from the pen of published author, Dr Amos van der Merwe, former urologist, made use of the residents of the estate as performers. Real estate agent, Tiaan Schutte, was elected as the first president of the association.

Niël Rademan, well-known baritone and performing arts entrepreneur, soprano Janel Speelman and accompanist, Lucas Heinen, were the guest performers at the event. Rademan and Speelman presented an enthralling programme, Music of the Night, featuring popular songs from musicals Phantom of the Opera, The Sound of Music and others.

At the launch, it was made clear that the Pinnacle Point Art and Culture Association was born primarily due to the communal desire to form an umbrella body which will promote the performing arts as well as celebrate culture, specifically to the value of the Pinnacle Point caves being considered the origin of modern man.

Alderman Cliffie Bayman (second from right) attended the launch as acting mayor. With him are Francois Olivier (Pinnacle Point Home Owners' Association), Tiaan Schutte (president, Pinnacle Point Art and Culture Association) and Dr Amos van der Merwe, Pinnacle Point resident and writer.

According to the steering committee of the association, it will be reaching out to other arts and culture organisations in the greater Mossel Bay area and further afield. The association has its eye on boosting tourism with its future offerings. One of the goals is to create a mosaic covering the walls of the 50m tunnel leading to the 18th green, as well as the Pinnacle Point caves. This project, which may take several years to complete, is set to depict the history of the area.

Lucas Heinen, Janel Speelman and Niël Rademan.