The highlight of the visit is the Roskilde Festival, arguably one of the biggest festivals in Northern Europe with seven stages and more than 160 bands performing with an expected attendance of more than 70,000 people. The four will enhance their technical and production skills with some of the best in the world, learning the latest methods and techniques in sound, lighting, audio-visual, power, staging and related live entertainment industries.
The current scheme is a continuation of a program, which began in 1999, through shuttle 99 (a South African-Nordic exchange project). However, it was a meeting at the PLASA Show in London between the then Roskilde technical manager and SARA president, Freddie Nyathela, that sealed the beginning of a program that is intended by both parties to run well into the future. The opportunity that is being provided by this visit is rare, and it represents another milestone in the march to acquire knowledge and skills, so desperately needed by the South African live event Industry.
According to SARA: "The South African Industry continues to be noted for a closed shop approach in respect of sharing knowledge and skills, and SARA has had to reach across the seas and develop relationships in order to empower the African Child with these marketable and exportable skills. On behalf of its members and Trustees, as well as the industry in general, SARA would like to extend its sincere gratitude to the Department of Arts and Culture (RSA) for funding the travel costs for the four youths, a substantial and gratefully received measure of support."
(Lee Baldock)
