GODFATHER of our Platteland Preview arts festival, Ismail Mahomed, makes his first visit to Smithfield this weekend. Our festival is directly linked with the National Arts Festival in Grahamstown because we invite performers, on their way to Grahamstown, to stop off in Smithfield. They get a final technical rehearsal; we get a festival. The success of our fest this year is largely due to the help and support of top Grahamstown festival officials, chief among them Ismail Mahomed. Now he’s on his way to Smithfield where he’ll take part in a weekend workshop to plan the future of the Platteland Preview. We’re grateful that he’s taking the time to come to our dorp, meet the Plattelanders and share his insights with us.

Ismail Mahomed, director of the National Arts Festival, Grahamstown