Ikhwezi Youth Theatre Development

Ikhwezi uses face-to-face interpersonal communication, live performance, and intercultural exchange as part of its work, which involves:

• creating, organising, and carrying out cultural education projects aimed at specific communities - schools, cultural centres, youth groups, and other similar groups;
• teaching theatre techniques, acting, written and oral expression, cultural history, visual arts and crafts, music, and dance;
• promoting cultural education in previously disadvantaged districts by helping groups and associations already in existence to be more effective by organising and directing their own projects;
• initiating and organising cultural encounters in order to encourage a deeper understanding and sharing of different cultures.

Specifically, Ikhwezi uses drama as a strategy for giving voice to children and youth. The organisation offers performing arts workshops at community primary schools to engage students as well as members of other local theatre organisations. (Magnet Theatre provides Ikhwezi with performing arts workshop skills). Ikhwezi works with these schools to try to bring into being cultural education, hopefully thereby contributing to English studies and empowering learners about imminent challenges facing youth today. Through collaboration with these schools, Ikhwezi also develops HIV/AIDS awareness initiatives and projects highlighting abuse against children and women.

Live performance is used to bring the plays that emerge from these workshops and projects to audiences in the Western Cape. Mopo Productions organises Ikhwezi’s performances and festivals in professional theatres. In addition, Africa Vision creates opportunities for Ikhwezi to perform overseas and network with overseas performing arts projects.

The organisation also hosts and participates in a number of festivals as part of its strategy of using entertainment to raise awareness about various development issues affecting children and youth. For example, in September 2002, Ikhwezi participated in the stop crime festival held in Arts Cape Theatre, Cape Town. In March 2003, the organisation attended the Africa festival that was organised by Africa Vision "Umbono we-Afrika" in France. And in March 2005, an Ikhwezi festival was held at the Baxter Theatre, Rondebosch, Cape Town.

Information and communication technology (ICT) is used as a tool to bring Ikhwezi's work to a wider audience. In March 2005, the organisation made videos of its plays.

Children, Youth, Education.

Editor's note: We have not been able to contact Samson Faleni of Ikhwezi Youth Theatre Development, or the organisation in general, since October 2006. If anyone has information about how to make contact, please let us know.