September 27, 2006
By Ndaba Dlamini
SOWETO will boast its first-ever performance theatre by September next year, thanks to the Herman van Veen Foundation, a Dutch organisation that supports projects and creates opportunities for children in developing countries to hone their talents and creativity.
A sod-turning ceremony for the theatre was held at the Ipelegeng Community Centre in Jabavu on Sunday, 24 September, attended by clergy from St Paul's Anglican Church, members of the foundation and the Soweto community. The Anglican Church donated the site for the centre.
The theatre, to be built at the Ipelegeng Community Centre, will be able to accommodate 344 people. It will be called The Miracle Theatre, says the foundation's Christen Coetzee.
"An under-utilised hall at the centre will be converted into a multi-purpose space with retractable, raked seating. The latest technical equipment will be installed in the space and construction will start in January 2007."
Dutch Performer Herman van Veen turns the sod
Plans for the theatre are being finalised and once completed - by September next year - the theatre will be managed by a joint board made up of members from the Ipelegeng Community Centre and the Thesele Creative Society, a township cultural drama group.
"Thesele Creative Society will be the company in residence, but the theatre will also facilitate guest performances by visiting companies. It will cater for everyone - children and adults - and theatre workshops will also be on offer," Coetzee explains.
The theatre was the brainchild of the Dutch performer, Herman van Veen, who came up with the idea during a visit to South Africa in 2004. When he met members of the Thesele Creative Society, he learned that in Soweto there was no theatre but several jails.
Speaking during a thanksgiving sermon at St Paul's Anglican Church in Jabavu before the sod-turning, Van Veen said that the theatre was a gift to the people of Soweto. "I hope this theatre will give the young people an opportunity to display their talents and stay away from crime."
To the appreciation of the congregation, Van Veen performed with Rhythmony, the Pretoria High School for Girls folk group. Not to be outdone, the popular choral group, Imilonji Kantu Choral Society, sang a few gospel songs that left people cheering for more.
Dignitaries at the sod-turning pose before the tree planted to mark the birth of the new Miracle Theatre
After the sermon, the guests travelled to the hall, where Anglican Diocesan Bishop Brian Germond, Reverend David Nkwe and Van Veen planted a tree to represent the birth of The Miracle Theatre.
As a way to "inform and get blessings from the ancestors", a traditional beer calabash was passed around, from which the dignitaries sipped while two imbongis recited poems.
Then it was time for aspirant young members of The Miracle Theatre to showcase their talents; they wowed the crowd with their dance and drama productions. Thanking the foundation for sponsoring the theatre, Sifiso Ziqubu, a representative of the Thesele Creative Society, said the society was "greatly honoured" to be associated with the internationally acclaimed Dutch performer.
"A theatre has been the missing link in the development of arts and culture in Soweto," he said.
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