School talent impresses judges

Judges were impressed by the quality of the work presented in the Inner City Drama Festival. The festival, they say, allows them to spot raw talent that can be developed.
KEDIBONI Rasekhula, a sixteen-year-old learner at St Enda’s Secondary School, left judges speechless with her performance in Ga sepatalala, in the Inner City High Schools Drama Festival.

Rising star: Kediboni Rasekhula Rising star: Kediboni Rasekhula The annual festival was held at the Hillbrow Theatre from 5 to 10 September and featured schools from around the inner city. Of the 17 that entered, four schools made it to the finals – St Enda’s, which won best production; Barnato Park; Jules; and Izenzo Kungemazwi high schools.

In her school’s production, Kediboni played Sepatalala, an old traditional healer who dismisses evil spirits from young people.

Explaining the play, she said it tackled the issue of Christianity versus traditional healing. “There are usually conflicts between the two, so we wanted to clarify that ancestors are not [more] important than Jesus. I feel that they work under Jesus.”

She was named Best Actress in a Lead Role this year, after winning Best Actress in a Supporting Role in 2010. “I am very excited because I did not expect all of this,” she said of her win. “And it really tells me a lot, because I was just doing something that I felt was right.”

Her team was the overall winner for Best Production and received a trophy and a R5 000 cheque.

She is in Grade 11 and is still deciding what to do after high school, but said what happened had told her a lot about her talent. “I cannot just leave it like this. I am happy on stage. I am able to relax and be myself. I love acting as I am able to express myself. I am just amazed; I did not know I could do this.”

Judges
The panel of judges consisted of Mduduzi Mabaso, an actor who plays Safocate in the popular soap Rhythm City on etv; director Mpho Molepo, whose Play Me was on at the Market Theatre in May; Napo Masheane, the writer, director, producer and poet; and Ntshieng Mokgoro, the winner of the 2009 Standard Bank Young Artist Award.

Gumboot dancers dance up a stormGumboot dancers dance up a stormMasheane was overwhelmed by Kediboni’s talent. “She is amazing,” she said. “All the elements you look for in professional actors and actresses – she had them. And she is so young. By the time she gets to our age what will she be? She is magical; she’s gifted. She embodies the character, she lives it, and that is the basic of acting.

“She is so young but played a big role perfectly,” Masheane added, explaining that the role was difficult for professional actors, who found it challenging.

She would like to work with Kediboni in the future, but she had to finish school first, Masheane said. “She is a potential that we can recommend to other people in the industry. She is not going to end here; she is going far. If she wants to study theatre we can help her get bursaries.”

Speaking about the festival as a whole, Mokgoro said it was an amazing journey of discovery, especially in the inner city. “This is a good development programme, and we are able to recognise raw talent that we can actually work with in terms of developing their skills,” she said.

When schoolchildren were given a platform such as this one, it boosted their confidence in public speaking. It also served as an introduction to professionals in the field. “It introduces them to the semi-professional stage. It is humbling to us as directors as we are also learning, so it was kind of a give and take,” Mokgoro added.

Arts and Culture Trust
Brenda Devar, the chairperson of the Arts and Culture Trust, assured those who had participated that they were important. “The Arts Alive festival acknowledges the importance of the Inner City High Schools Drama Festival. It’s very important because all art starts somewhere, at the school level,” she said.

St Enda's scoop St Enda's receive a trophy for best production“All of you in these plays had an idea and you spoke about it. Out of nothing you created something. I want all of you to carry on feeding the arts in you. Let this 2011 experience be one of many creative and artistic experiences in your life.”

Devar said the top two teams would perform at the Fringe at the Joburg Theatre Complex, in the Best Community Festival.

She also encouraged everyone to see the Chinese production, The Wind from Dunhuang. “It’s beautiful music and dance. It’s all about their culture.”
The Wind from Danhuang is on at the Mandela Stage at the theatre complex on 16 and 17 September.

Marvellous Malinga, the project co-ordinator of the Inner City High Schools Drama Festival, thanked the Joburg Arts Alive International Festival for its support.

Despite most high schools not teaching art and culture, the festival was a success. “We are also certain that our festival continues to inspire more schools to enrich the learners. The festival remains positive memory for the participants for years to come,” he said.

Goodness Njolo, from Barnato Park, said that getting home late had really paid off as “we got rewarded for our hard work”.

The aim of the festival is to promote drama in inner city high schools, and to contribute towards building positive attitudes in the inner city and its communities.