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MOSSEL BAY NEWS - Most festival goers report that they had a blast at the ninth Dias Festival from 31 January to 2 February.
This year, although there was no longer a cultural evening on the Thursday preceding the festival, several new items added fresh pizzazz to the proceedings.
In with the new
On Friday afternoon, dancers from as far as Knysna and Oudtshoorn participated in the first #kidsgottalent dance-off hosted by Angeline's Dance Academy.
Showing off their talent in a variety of dance styles including hip hop, acrobatic dancing, musical theatre, ballet, lyrical and modern dancing, dancers egged each other on to win their share of more than R7 000 in prizes.
From sunset onwards, the entertainment programme drew a capacity crowd. Top local talent was showcased along with Maak my famous entertainers, Cheswin Ruiters and SA Ensemble.
The party got into full swing with performances by YoungstaCPT and Distruction Boyz, presenting their proudly South African brand of dance music, called gqom.
On Saturday, with the stage programme starting slightly later, the arrival of the street parade got festivities started.
The parade this year followed a new route, from Mosselbaai Mall through D'Almeida. "The parade was received with great enthusiasm," commented Gavin Grierson of South Cape Buggies.
The Stranded Marine Animal Rescue Team (S.M.A.R.T.) were delighted with their third consecutive win in the float competition, with the persevering Curro Mossel Bay in second place and the Blaize Away MOTH Shell Hole, third in their Ratel.
New faces joining the team of stage presenters included Sonwa Mbandezi and Maximus Mamakoko, who assisted veterans Nicky Stears and Cornelle Carstens.
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On Saturday, late night showers brought a halt to the entertainment, which was cancelled for safety reasons, as Ricus Nel took to the stage.
Fans however, unperturbed, got off their seats and stood immovable, using their chairs as umbrellas to continue watching the show. Due to the rain, Die Heuwels Fantasties could not perform their late night slot. Fans were, however, particularly delighted to see evergreen Juanita du Plessis perform with her talented twin children, Ruan Josh and Franja.
Children had a real treat with the entertainment offered on Sunday.
Special celebrations
The customary cutting of the cake at the Bartholomeu Dias Museum was again a highlight. The door-sized cake was cut by the Executive Mayor of Mossel Bay, Alderman Harry Levendal, in the presence of Portuguese ambassador Manuel Carvalho, consuls general from Indonesia, China and Portugal, as well as the deputy consul general of Germany and a representative from Madagascar.
On Saturday, the audience shared in the joy of the moment as a marriage proposal was made to a member of the Portuguese dance group on stage. Being the month of love, performing artists received requests from the audience for special dedications to loved ones.
To this, they generally graciously agreed.
The classical programme, presented in the Dias Museum was, as usual, fully booked way in advance of the festival.
Higher attendance
The festival also boasted a 20% higher attendance this year. Stall holders commented during the festival that they had had better trade than in 2019.
"We had equal support over both days and more support during the evening programmes especially," said a stall owner, who also commented that there was a pleasant spirit among festival goers.
Visitors travelled from as far as Cape Town and Knysna to enjoy the festival.
Despite the higher attendance, stage management crew reported that only two announcements regarding missing children were made. Warrant officer Pieter Koekemoer, spokesperson for the Mossel Bay Police Station, confirmed that no crime at the festival grounds was reported.
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Way forward
Since its inception, the Mossel Bay Municipality has been striving to make diversity and inclusivity the aim of the Dias Festival, under the banner of the festival slogan, Where cultures meet.
The municipality announced that, following the Dias Festival, a poll will be conducted to ensure that the festival continues to meet expectations in 2021.
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