In a passionate display of dramatic arts, Alexandra High School hosted the Fifth Annual Sibandla Festival, captivating audiences with performances by learners. The two-day event, on August 30 and 31, rooted in the theme of decolonisation, aimed to educate both performers and the public about the power of physical theatre and its significance.

Lihle Nene, a drama and visual arts teacher at the school, explained that the festival was designed to make the complex topic of physical theatre more comprehensible to learners. “Learners are taught about physical theatre as one of the topics covered in the dramatic arts curriculum. Since it is a difficult topic, we resolved to make it a festival, so that learners can understand it better.”

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By inviting parents and the community, the event also sought to deepen public understanding of the arts, moving from the misconception that drama is merely jumping around for marks, to making them understand the conceptual framework behind every performance.

The performances took audiences on a journey through African history, exploring life before and after colonisation. “We’re painting a canvas of that journey – how settlers came to Africa and took the land, and where we stand today.” The production highlighted ongoing struggles with colonial legacies, challenging stereotypes and notions of inferiority tied to black identity.

He said the message that they are trying to deliver through their performance is that people ought to know where they are now, and where they come from. “The only way to decolonise an African child is to help them understand where we come from, and what happened in the past. People ought to know where they come from, so that they can start decolonising themselves.”

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