![Best actress Asemahle Nkone and best actor Ayden October, with the deputy mayor Councillor Zukiswa Tonisi Best actress Asemahle Nkone and best actor Ayden October, with the deputy mayor Councillor Zukiswa Tonisi](https://www.westerncape.gov.za/sites/www.westerncape.gov.za/files/best_actress_asemahle_nkone_and_best_actor_ayden_october_with_the_deputy_mayor_councillor_zukiswa_tonisi.jpg)
Talented Overberg youth showed off their acting and drama skills in the finale of the Overberg Drama Festival. The event was held on Saturday 12 November 2016 at the Grobbelaar Hall in Napier and was presented by the Western Cape Department of Cultural Affairs and Sport (DCAS), in partnership with Cape Agulhas Municipality. This was the first of three drama festival finales for this year.
The finale included four productions: Net vir Pret (Barrydale), Plaasjappies (Villiersdorp), Most Wanted (Swellendam) and home town favourites , Albert Myburgh High School (Bredasdorp). It was Most Wanted, though, that impressed not only the audience, but also the adjudicators, and won the award for the best production and the opportunity to perform at next year’s Suidoosterfees.
The Overberg Drama Festival was concluded with a guest performance by the runner up of the Tri District Drama Festival for 2015, Genagetix Productions, who delivered their winning performance Andrea.
Mayor Paul Swart opened the festival and welcomed all participants. Mayor Swart thanked DCAS for this great initiative, as well as the Baxter Theatre’s Zabalaza team for developing the youth in drama. The mayor was overwhelmed by the amount of interest in the arts shown by the Overberg community.
Project Manager Moeniel Jacobs said that even though it was only the second finale in the Overberg District, the community had shown great support for the initiative and that this was evident from the full house that the event had attracted. “There is talent in these communities. All we need to do is to support the youth and provide them with a platform and the opportunity to develop and showcase their talents,” he said.
The best production and runner up will compete next year during the Suidoosterfees against the winners of the Eden and Cape Winelands Drama Festivals, which are taking place on Saturday, 19 November 2016 in Worcester and on Saturday 26 November 2016 in Knysna, respectively.
DCAS presents drama festivals to identify and develop the arts in communities. Communities should support these festivals to invest in local talent. Let us continue to develop the arts BETTER TOGETHER.
Tania Colyn
Head of Communication Service
Department of Cultural Affairs and Sport
Tel: 021 483 9877
E-mail: Tania.Colyn@westerncape.gov.za