Grahamstown The Festival Capital
There are many cultural festivals in South Africa. Untill 1974 the concept was unheard of except for the vision of a few people. Most notable of these was the late Guy Butler, a poet and the Professor of English at Rhodes University. When the proposals for a monument to commemmorate the contribution of the 1820 Settlers to the development of South Africa, he and others such as Prof JVL Rennie persuaded the organising committee that a living monument dedicated to debate and culture would be most appropriate. The first National Arts Festival opened in 1974, and soon had several spin-offs such as the National School Festivals.
The National Arts Festival grew untill it became the biggest such event in the Southern Hemisphere. Many artists credit the festival with saving South African performing arts during the sanction hit years of the 1980s, as it was a place where they could practise their craft free of harrassment and with an audience that was big enough and appreciative enough to make it worth their while. People appreciated travelling to a small town throbbing with activity and where they could assuage the cultural drought that was afflicting South Africa. Other towns woke up to the fact that culture was something that ordinary people enjoyed and to a greater and lesser degree, copied Grahamstown's success. However, the National Festival of the Arts remains "The Festival of Festivals".
Another spin-off of the Arts festival was Science Festival, the only one of its kind in Africa which takes place in the first quarter of the year.
Grahamstown also hosts several other festivals and events, which is why it remains "Africa's Festiva;l Capital".
FESTIVAL ACCOMMODATION
Accommodation for the Festival is made up of different categories:
FORMAL SECTOR ACCOMMODATION
Accommodation providers with year-round accommodation dedicated for the use of visitors in hotels, guesthouses and B&B establishments:
Makana Tourism
Tel: 046 622 3241 , Fax: 046 622 3266
Email: info@grahamstown.co.za
Office Hours: Monday - Friday 08:30 - 17:00, Saturday 09:00 - 13:00
Accommodation & Activity Finder
Suzette Flanagan
PO Box 359
Grahamstown
6140
Tel: 046 622 4517 / 082 562 7033
Fax: 086 517 1782
Email: bookings@aafinder.co.za
Web: www.aafinder.co.za
Grahamstown Accommodation Booking OfficeTel: 046 622 5777or Cell: 082 758 4740Fax: 088 046 622 5777
Email: booking@grahamstownaccom.co.za
Office Hours: Monday - Friday 09:00-13:00, 14:00-16:00
Website: www.grahamstownaccom.co.za
INFORMAL SECTOR ACCOMMODATION
Accommodation in family homes, either on a vacant house basis, where residents vacate their homes for the use of visitors or on a B&B (home-stay) basis, in rooms in homes where visitors share facilities with the host family.
Home2Let is an online service which can assist you in your search for Accommodation, and can be accessed at www.home2let.co.za
Festival Homes Accommodation
Self-catering Houses, Cottages, Flats, and B&B's
Contact: Ross or Rochelle
Tel/Fax: 046 622 5777, Cell: 082 758 4740
Email: festhomes@imaginet.co.za
Stanley J Dold Festival Accommodation
Self-catering Houses, Flats and B&B's
Contact: Doug Read
Tel: 046 622 2839 , Fax: 046 622 5906, Cell: 082 573 3679
Email: douglasread@albanynet.co.za
Anytime Accommodation & Festival Accommodation
Put yourself in the capable and experienced hands of Anytime Accommodation Agency & Festival Accommodation
Self-Catering Houses, Flats or Cottages as well as B&B's
Contact: Nancy
Tel: 076 181 1326
Fax: 086 657 0406
Email: anytimeaccom@yahoo.com
B&B SA
B&B, small self-catering units
Contact: Jeanine Baart
Tel/Fax: 046 622 6063
Cell : 082 785 9363
Email : e.baart@ru.ac.za
RHODES UNIVERSITY RESIDENCES
Contact: The Conference Manager or the Dean of Students
Tel: 046 603 8772/ 8138 / 8181 / 8703, Fax: 046 622 3659
Email: rufest@ru.ac.za
Hoerskool P J Olivier
Contact: Kitty Dreyer
Tel: 046 622 3322 (between 08:00 and 15:00)
Albany Sports Club - Festival Camping Accommodation
Contact: Mr Willem Brand
Cell: 083 979 4641
Club: Tel. 046 622 2960 between 18:00 - 20:00 (Tues-Fri)
or J.Brandt Tel. 046 622 7304 (Office hours 08:00 - 16:30 Mon - Fri)
Email: admin@brandtbowling.co.za
Graeme College
Contact: Anne King, School Secretary
Tel: 046 622 7227 (Office hours only 08:00-17:00), Cell: 072 456 9812
Email: graeme@albanynet.co.za
Victoria Primary School
(Situated in the VP sport's ground - Tents only)
Contact: Anthony Greyling
Cell: 083 493 6999 (between 14:00 and 17:00)
SCHOOL AND COLLEGE HOSTELS
Contact: The Schools Accommodation Officer at the Grahamstown Accommodation Booking Office
Mon-Fri 09:00-16:00
Tel: 046 622 5777 , 046 622 8949 , Cell: 082 758 4740
Email: booking@grahamstownaccom.co.za
Sure Go Travel
Tel:+27 46 622 2235
Fax:+27 88 046 622 3982
Rochelle Cell: 082 047 8849
rochelle@suregotravel.co.za
www.grahamstowntravel.co.za
The Grahamstown Hospitality Guild is available to act on complaints by visitors against any one of its members. Written complaints will be dealt with without delay and should be addressed to The Chairperson, Grahamstown Hospitality Guild, PO Box 6010, Grahamstown, 6140 or Fax: 046 622 9720.
Schools' Festival
This annual event is organised by The Grahamstown Foundation. Pupils are given and opportunity to experience a carefully structured programme of Arts and English related activities designed to empower them by developing their skills of communication, and by encouraging them to nurture and explore their own creative potential.
To find out more about this exciting festival visit the official Schools' Festival website http://www.foundation.org.za/schoolsfest/
Tel: 046 603 1107 .
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