Young Drama Talent Shines at Zabalaza Theatre Festival
12 March 2018
Original article: https://www.westerncape.gov.za/gc-news/99/48825
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DCAS HOD Brent Walters with Ettiene Matwan who completed the Arts Training Programme |
Padlanks die Wingerd from Hex Valley Primary school showed the importance of road safety |
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Excellent story telling from Maskam Primary School |
Trane dra Krag from Bellville South Primary School captivated the audience |
The Zabalaza Theatre Festival hosted various productions by youth involved in the drama projects offered by the Department of Cultural Affairs and Sport. On Saturday, 10 March 2018, drama groups from the After Schools Game Changer Programme, as well as the top groups from the Cape Winelands and Eden Drama festival participated in the Zabalaza programme.
These productions were all assisted by coaches who took part in a one-year After School Game Changer Creative Arts Training Programme for After School Practitioners, which was presented by the ASGC programme, in partnership with Assitej.
The grade 4 to 10 learners who took part in the productions, thoroughly entertained the audience with their dance moves and lessons in road safety. The coaches who assisted them also received their certificates of completion for the course.
DCAS Head of Department, Brent Walters, thanked everyone for supporting the programme and informed participants that it matters what they do with their lives. “The ASGC programme and MOD centres are geared towards giving you path on which to walk, act or dance. We hope that you grab the opportunities presented to you, and in the process, get to perform on stages like this. Or perhaps move on to an even bigger stage” Mr Walters said.
The Best of DCAS groups also wowed the audience with their emotional performances. The winning groups from the Cape Winelands and Eden drama festival, Revelations from Franschhoek, Mbekewni Nkwenkwezi Youth Group from Mbekwini and Evolution Drama Group from Riversdale were part of the Zabalaza Theatre festival on Saturday.
Out of 34 drama groups that participated, they were chosen, along with another three other groups to perform at the festival. One of these groups will ultimately win the Best of DCAS programme at the finale on 27 April, and be included on the 2019 Suidoosterfees programme.
Moeniel Jacobs, the programme director for the Best of DCAS said there has been an improvement in the quality of the productions and more growth opportunities for participants. “For the first time they will learn money as artists, making them aware that they can have careers in the arts and be economically productive artists in this beautiful province.”
DCAS and its partners aim to develop the arts through festivals and to expose the young talent of the Western Cape to different opportunities, BETTER TOGETHER.
Media Enquiries:
Dr Tania Colyn
Head of Communication Service
Department of Cultural Affairs and Sport
Tel: 021 483 9877 / 076 093 4913
E-mail: Tania.Colyn@westerncape.gov.za