32-year-old Durban-based Tiny Mungwe is the Project Manager for the Centre for Creative Arts. She chats to us about the world of film, dance, poetry and literary festivals.
By: Fundiswa Nkwanyana
1.You play a vital role in bringing art festivals like Time of the Writer, Durban International Film Festival, Jomba Contemporary Dance Experience and Poetry Africa to us, how has the journey leading up to this position been?
It has been an eye-opening adventure. After high school, I studied IT but dropped out in third year because it wasn’t for me. I then started doing little things that I made me happy. The small everyday choices I made together with the side passion projects I embarked on, led me to this career and job. That is how everything started – I just followed my heart and got my AFDA degree while I explored my options. My passion for the arts placed me in this position.
2. What skills are essential to thrive in your position?
The ability to curate content for the South African and international audience is a vital skill that cannot be compromised. Managerial skills are very important as they play a vital role in what I do. Networking and more networking is essential because partnerships and alliances have to be constantly formed. Exceptional communication skills are vital too as the job requires constant written and verbal communication. Not forgetting a real and sincere passion for the arts!
3. With all the exciting festivals that you work on, what do you enjoy the most about your job?
I love the creative freedom and spirit in which I work in. Films, books and poetry excite me, and I’m privileged that I have wide access to them. I travel a lot to other festivals to search for content and form partnerships. Networking with other women from other countries in the same career field is a learning curve that I enjoy.
4. What are some of the challenges that you face as a young woman in this position?
I, like many other women, live within a gender-biased society that tends to objectify women. I constantly have to fight against the stereotypes of the world’s perceived perception of what a woman in my position should be like, sound like, look like or behave. I’m unapologetically carving my own way. Seeking for funding in these economic times for festivals remains a challenge. I always have to keep an ear out for potential funders. People do not understand how art can bring positive change and social cohesion to the troubled world we live in. I am also struggling to make the festivals easily accessible to a wider audience – people in the townships and rural areas need to be a part of our festivals. I am however making progress in overcoming this.
5. What do you wish people knew about the arts industry?
We bring world-class festivals with content from different parts of the world just for you. I wish more people knew that our festivals offer workshops, networking sessions and many other developmental initiatives. I wish people knew that the arts can add great value to our GDP; there is so much money to be made within the arts. There is potential for jobs to be created especially with our high unemployment rate. I wish South Africa would value film, dance, poetry and book festivals more than they value television
6. Any last words?
Beware the lollipop of mediocrity – one lick and you will suck forever.
