'Flowers' of Kliptown

RELATED LINKS: A week in Joburg LUCILLE Davie has the lowdown on the best events in Jozi this week. Read more What's on at the theatre JOHANNESBURG'S theatres are buzzing with innovative, indigenous theatre telling the story of post-apartheid South Africa with passion and energy, accompanied by vibrant dancing and singing. Read more Market Theatre showcases upcoming talent BUDDING writers, directors and actors from around the country will get the opportunity to display their talent during the Zwakala Festival at the Market Theatre Laboratory from Sunday 16 November. Read more Windybrow: school for young dramatists "WITHOUT irony, we can say that we are a refuge for the creative energies of Johannesburg's inner city youth," says Walter Chakela, chief executive of Windybrow Theatre in Hillbrow. Read more Walter Sisulu Square - the winner's design IT didn't take the judges long to decide which of the 35 entries in the Walter Sisulu Square project was the winner - the one which not only designed a very symbolic square but incorporated a larger urban design for the area. Read more Blue IQ BLUE IQ is a multi-billion rand initiative of the Gauteng provincial government to invest in economic infrastructure development in identified mega-projects in the areas of tourism, technology, transport and high value-added manufacturing. Read more

Scenes from +/- Memories of the Struggle

Kliptown players recall the struggle THE Mama Africa Theatre Company will perform a play about the struggle as seen through the eyes of Kliptown residents, at the new Walter Sisulu Square Hall. June 28, 2005 By Tammy O'Reilly HOT on the heels of the 50th birthday of the Freedom Charter, a youth theatre group from the historical area of Kliptown is celebrating its freedom the best way its members know how - with performances at the Walter Sisulu Square Hall. Mama Africa Theatre Company will perform +/- Memories of the Struggle at the newly built hall on Wednesday, 29 June at 6pm. Scenography allows the story to be understood by everyone The theatre group was started in 2002 and most of the members are from the Soweto Kliptown Youth Group, an organisation that assists disadvantaged youngsters by offering educational support and an introduction to cultural activities like dancing and craftwork. The play gives a stirring perspective on the struggle through the eyes of the people who lived in Kliptown. Although many languages are used in the play, the clear actions and the use of props make it understandable to all audiences. Under the stewardship of three French theatre professionals, Neusa Thomasi, Eric de Sarria and Arnaud Rabier, the young actors have developed into skilled performers. Among its credits, the theatre performed at the 2003 National Arts Festival, and will do so again this year before heading to Cape Town for a series of shows. "This is such a wonderful opportunity for these kids. Other than the theatre, they don't have much to look forward to after school. Through the theatre, kids are kept off the street and away from trouble," says project manager Peggy Boucon. Most of the youngsters come from impoverished backgrounds, but through the theatre have learned valuable lessons that they incorporate into their plays. "We come from Kliptown, which is a disadvantaged area, but we see ourselves as the Flowers of Kliptown and we are going to blossom as flowers and touch the hearts of everyone," said member Zoleka Mfaxa. The 2005 tour gives the budding actors an opportunity to show off their training and skills; in turn they have an inspirational message for their audiences and a lesson about the power of theatre. "The most important thing that we want to convey to people is a positive message," said Sipho Tshabalala, a member of the group. "To say to our young brothers and sisters that it is never easy being a young man or woman in theatre; it demands a lot of work but if you have vision, you have everything because your vision determines where you want to end up." Blue IQ, a multi-million rand initiative by the Gauteng provincial government that invests in economic infrastructure development, is supporting the evening. Entrance is free. Permission to use web site material Publishers may use material from this site free of charge, as long as: Credit is given to either the "City of Johannesburg website (www.joburg.org.za)" or to "Johannesburg News Agency (www.joburg.org.za)"; If the article is used online, a link is provided to the original article on this website; The name of the article's author is acknowledged; The webmaster is informed of how and where the material is used (fill in this brief online form). Johannesburg News Agency is operated by BIG Media at 011-484-1400 Print this Page E-mail this article to a friend Help using Joburg.org.za