Dear Gayton

I hope this letter finds you well. I am writing to you on behalf of Afro Geek, a pioneering platform dedicated to the growth and celebration of African creativity in gaming, animation, comics, and digital arts. We seek the support of the Department of Sports, Arts and Culture (DSAC) to ensure the continued success of our flagship event, Afro Geek Fest, which will be taking place in May 2025 (Africa Month) in Soweto.

When we founded Afro Geek three years ago, our mission was clear—to create a space where African digital creators, storytellers, and innovators could thrive and be celebrated on a global stage. Recognizing the lack of representation and opportunities for African creatives in the gaming, animation, and geek culture industries, we took it upon ourselves to build a community-driven movement that would inspire and empower young talent across the continent.

Despite the challenges of launching an event of this scale with zero external funding, we successfully hosted the first-ever Afro Geek Fest entirely out of pocket, proving not only the demand for such a platform but also the passion of the community we serve. Held in Soweto, an unprecedented location for an event of its kind, Afro Geek Fest was a historic moment for African geek culture, bringing together artists, gamers, and digital creatives from across the country.

Through partnerships with organizations such as rAge Expo, Indalo Robotics, AVIJOZI, and the Arts & Culture Trust, we have curated events, exhibitions, and workshops that showcase the immense talent within our continent. We have also collaborated on initiatives such as the Road to Amapiano Festival, an event that merged music, art, gaming, and virtual reality—further proving that African creativity is expansive and multifaceted.

With the Afro Geek Fest 2025, we aim to go even bigger by incorporating more Pan-African creators, game developers, animators, and musical acts, further solidifying South Africa as a hub for African digital arts and entertainment. However, to realize this vision, we require the support of DSAC to ensure the sustainability and growth of this event. Your funding would directly contribute to:

Venue and Infrastructure: Ensuring we have a high-quality space to accommodate thousands of attendees and exhibitors.
Artist and Speaker Support: Enabling us to bring in top African creatives to share their knowledge and experiences.
Workshops and Educational Programs: Expanding our impact by providing skills development opportunities in gaming, animation, and digital arts.
Marketing and Outreach: Amplifying the event’s reach to ensure greater youth engagement and participation.
We believe that Afro Geek Fest aligns with DSAC’s mission to support and develop arts, culture, and sports in a way that uplifts South African and African talent. By investing in Afro Geek Fest, DSAC will not only be supporting an established and proven initiative but also ensuring that South African creatives have the platform they need to succeed both locally and internationally.

We would love the opportunity to discuss this further and explore how DSAC can play a pivotal role in the growth of Afro Geek Fest. Please let us know a convenient time to meet, and we would be happy to present our vision in more detail.

Thank you for your time and consideration.