Storytelling, poetry and more at early Youth Month celebrations
Ekurhuleni to host masterclass for artists, poetry and storytelling festival and workshop for librarians.
The City of Ekurhuleni is delighted to host the legendary and internationally acclaimed Dr Gcina Mhlophe to conduct a masterclass for artists, storytelling and writing for librarians and a poetry and storytelling festival for previously disadvantaged children.
The programmes are part of the annual Ekurhuleni Youth Month Celebration, commemorated in June.
This year’s programme is supported by Ekurhuleni Public Employment Programme (EPEP,) an initiative of the National Treasury and Presidential Employment Stimulus.
The EPEP employs more than 115 youth and adults in the region.
The activities are scheduled as follows:
• Masterclass for artists/performers: May 6 at the Dumisani Masilela Theatre from 09:30 to 12:30.
• Storytelling and writing for Ekurhuleni region librarians: May 6 at the Boksburg Civic Centre from 12:30 to 15:30.
• Poetry and storytelling festival for children/learners mainly from previously disadvantaged communities in Ekurhuleni featuring Tu Nokwe: May 7 at the Dumisani Masilela Theatre from 10:00 to 15:00.
The poetry and storytelling masterclass will focus on performance techniques, preparation and rhythm, while the workshop for the librarians will focus more on storytelling and story reading techniques for pre-school learners using various digital platforms and making storytelling more entertaining for the young audiences.
On the last day, Mhlophe will be collaborating with another veteran and world-renowned singer and actress, Tu Nokwe, with half of the cast from Ekurhuleni Young-Stars Outreach Programme. Nokwe is also part of the mentorship programme for EPEP.
The poetry and storytelling festival on May 7 will be a feast of fun and edutainment spectacle for children and invited audiences.
The city will be transporting more than 300 children mainly from informal settlements around the City.
They will get an opportunity to experience what happens on the project Nozincwadi Tour (The mother of books), which is a project that Mhlophe has been running for more than 20 years locally and internationally.
The day will also have Mhlophe reading stories, performing poetical proses and, in the end, some live music performances featuring children from Ekurhuleni Young-Stars Outreach Programme.
For all queries contact Lungile Msiya, manager of libraries information services Ekurhuleni East Region at Lungile.Msiya@ekurhuleni.gov.za or Pascar Dube, manager performing arts and interim general manager Dumisani Masilela Theatre at Pascar.Dube@ekurhuleni.gov.za
