Theatre for young audiences
Phokojwe (Jackal) and Ntja (Dog) are related mammals. They are said to belong to the family of canines and are omnivores. It is not surprising that a fable about nourishment could ensue between them. A story goes that Phokojwe admired Ntja’s fat physique while Ntja felt sympathy for Phokojwe’s slim physique. Consequently, Ntja invited Phokojwe […]
by Selloane ‘Lalu’ Mokuku Barbie’s smile remained frozen on the school bag carried by a man driving an imaginary car. The young girl strutted along with an infectious giggle. The man made all the necessary car sounds and occasionally overtook pedestrians. At times pulling on brakes to avoid some obstacles on their way. Such I […]
Leqephe le letjha (a new page) is a Sesotho expression that is often used in moments of reconciliation or to signify a new start. Writers tell of leqephe, a page, where they scribble thoughts that grow into stories that reach far and are received by multitudes. As Maya Angelou would argue “there is no greater […]
Ngwana Kgotso ha a lebale tsa kgotsong is a Sesotho expression that contextualises a child’s lived experience and how it impacts their immediate environment. The expression can loosely be translated to mean a peaceful environment that one grows in, shapes and makes who they become later on in life. In return, such people create a […]
Dilotho (riddles) is a Sesotho game of guessing the right answer. It is traditionally played by children and used by adults to mean a mystery; (Selotho/singular for riddle or a mystery). The plural for the word or game is dilotho. Many cultures in Africa have a similar game; Kitendawili/singular or Vitendawili/plural in Kiswahili. To play […]
ASSITEJ South Africa launches workshop series discussing racism with high school learners in Cape TownBy Faye Kabali-Kagwa It’s a Tuesday afternoon in October. The Settlers High School Grade 10 drama learners leisurely walk themselves into the Reeler Sports Hall. Remnants of the exams that have just concluded remain with desks packed neatly to one side. […]
Since August 2021 a specialized team of teachers, facilitators, lecturers and artists have been working together on The Arts as Method project for ASSITEJ SA. Funded by Business Arts South Africa (BASA) the project is the next logical step within the Kickstarter Creative Arts project, as it further ensures high-quality Arts based approach across subjects […]
Lalu Mokuku “Matlo a matle diotlwana ka ntle” is a Sesotho expression that can loosely be translated to mean households are beautiful from the outside. This expression can figuratively refer to the convolution and smugness around ‘secrets’ and ‘sacred’ occurrences that shroud households. At the same time, it may reflect the protective strategies that some […]
Creating Stories for Stage & Screen with Paul Slabolepszy A MASTERCLASS IN STORYTELLING Creating Stories for Stage & Screen with Paul Slabolepszy From telling improvised stories beneath a baobab at the Musina Primary School as a 12 year-old, to performing in his very own play at the Old Vic in London 20 years later, Paul […]
The story of Naughty, Knotty and Naught tells of three rats known by everyone, even though no one knew where they lived. Their black shiny droppings always gave a sign that they had somehow been around. Although mostly unwelcome, when the rats visited families, they would get an extraordinary opportunity to hear people’s hopes, fears […]