The Ethnocentric Community Projects (ECP) is a non-profit organization created in 2009 by Vukile Rakgotla in Montshioa, Mafikeng. This arts centre offers classes in dance, drama, music, modelling, visual arts & crafts, film and photography. I founded the ECP because due to how I grew up in a township where the youth is impacted by social-ills and my purpose is to help the youth by giving them a place of refuge. I named the centre, Ethnocentric because I wanted to maintain it as African and as distinct as possible. Authenticity is very important to me,” said Vukile.
The centre is affiliated with the North-West Federation of Community Arts Centres (NWFCAC) and their mostly involved stakeholder is the community of Montshioa/ Mafikeng, the Department of Arts and Culture and Bokone Bophirima Craft and Design Institute. Vukile said that the centre is not a one-size-fits-all, as they offer a variety of artistic streams to their students and want to add more. “Our staff are also artists in their own right and is given an opportunity to pursue their chosen disciplines.
It is a win-win situation for everyone,” he said. “We witness how our students come out of their shells, how those who came with poor self-esteem have now gained confidence and are able to stand in front of an audience and perform their guts out. It is also seeing a troubled child quit their old ways in order to seek a better route via art and relieve all of life’s burdens. We watch how they make better decisions for their futures,” he added.
Rapoo Samuel Mabe, Chairperson of NWFCAC said that out of the 23 community art centres in the province, ECP is one of the top five that works harder and have accomplished a lot. “The centre was just relaunched, aiming to ensure that they can stand on their own. The launch has produced recognition for the centre and the spark for parents to be more involved in their children’s interests with the centre,” Rapoo explained.
The centre has produced notable artists such as Ratolwaone Modumo, a model, actor, dancer, and designer. “The centre has assisted Rato in developing her skills since she joined Ethnocentric. She was a little hesitant and timid but today she is quite a star. She is essentially an all-around thespian. She is currently an international commercial model about to feature on a Showmax series and her clothing brand is selling like hotcakes,” said Ratolwaone’s mother Kefilwe Modumo. “We prepare our students for the world out there, whether it is the artistic world or the corporate world. We provide them as much exposure as possible, and opportunities to earn money for themselves,” Vukile concluded.
