Sun shines on national arts fest

[caption id="attachment_39635" align="alignright" width="405"] IN THE GROOVE: Umanyano traditional dancer Ntlahla Njajula performs on his first day at the festival[/caption]

THOUSANDS of festinos and stallholders in boots, skimpy shorts and skirts, harem pants and different traditional outfits flocked to the first day of the National Arts Festival in Grahamstown yesterday.

Families, groups of friends, couples and singles took advantage of the sunny day and walked the streets, browsed stalls and watched different shows at the start of the 11-day event in the university town.

Enterprising small business people walked between the festinos, shouting about their wares and the prices, while pickpockets took advantage of the high number of visitors, nabbing phones from unsuspecting patrons, which resulted in three men being arrested.

Even the electricity going off for a few minutes at the Village Green did not slow down the visitors, who just used the time to soak up the sun and watch the impromptu performances outside.

While most were at the festival for the arts feast and fun activities, a group of rugby players – in town for a tournament – admitted they were just there to "check out the girls". - Thulani Gqirana, Lauren Dixon and Yonela Mgwali