Sibikwa students find expression through art

INHERITED served as a powerful reminder of the role the arts play in preserving memory, building confidence and connecting generations.

2 hours ago

Ntsakisi Shipalana 2 minutes read

The INHERITED mid-year show was a success and highlighted art's importance as a form of expression.

The Sibikwa Arts Academy presented its INHERITED Mid-Year Showcase on June 14, bringing together young performers, families and community members for a vibrant celebration of remembrance, artistic excellence and youth expression.

Held during Youth Month, marking 50 years since the 1976 Soweto uprising, the showcase explored themes of inheritance, memory, identity and resilience through a multidisciplinary programme of performance and visual art.

The event featured a diverse range of performances by the academy’s junior and senior groups, including contemporary dance works, Amapiano-inspired pieces, African drumming, marimba ensembles, gumboot dance, and dramatic theatre presentations.

Among the highlights were a series of powerful monologues delivered by young performers, whose confidence and storytelling abilities captivated audiences throughout the day.

Through dance, music, drama and visual storytelling, the young artists reflected on the histories, traditions and cultural legacies passed down through generations while also exploring the realities facing young people today.

Their performances offered thoughtful reflections on identity, aspiration and the future they hope to build.

For parents and guardians, the showcase offered an opportunity to witness their children’s growth and artistic development.

A parent and a child watching an art exhibition at Sibikwa.

The performances reflected months of training, creative exploration and dedication, showcasing the confidence, discipline and creative skills nurtured through the Sibikwa Arts Academy programme.

Complementing the performance programme was a student-curated visual arts exhibition honouring unsung heroes from Ekurhuleni, whose contributions to the struggle against apartheid and the 1976 uprising continue to shape the region’s history.

One of the music teachers, Sfiso Maseko, shared his views on the importance of the kids being able to express themselves through art.

“I think music is an outlet in so many ways.

As a music teacher, I feel it is important that children have such a platform from a young age. Within a community, it teaches discipline, communication and respect, which is something that is needed amongst many adults these days,” said Maseko.

The showcase also featured a guest performance by the Ubuntu Jazz Collective from the Morris Isaacson Centre for Music, highlighting the growing partnership between the two institutions and their shared commitment to youth development through arts education.

The Jazz session held mid the INHERITED show.

One of the performer’s supporters, Lindokuhle Milazi, expressed his joy at being part of the audience witnessing the show.

“I am really happy to be here today, and I think it is cool to have such shows around here, not so far from home. It is encouraging,” said Milazi.

As the final performances came to a close, INHERITED served as a powerful reminder of the role the arts play in preserving memory, building confidence and connecting generations.

Through its celebration of heritage and creativity, the showcase demonstrated that inheritance is not only what is passed down, but also what is nurtured, reimagined and shared with future generations.