Workshop hosted by acclaimed storyteller at Germiston theatre

The City of Ekurhuleni hosted legendary and internationally acclaimed storyteller Dr Gcina Mhlophe for a workshop of local, aspirant artists at the Dumisani Masilela Theatre.

Mhlophe encouraged young storytellers to use their natural talents in a combination of what they have learnt during the workshop.
“You have to believe and love your story before you tell it to someone else. Pay attention to details and remember them,” said Dr Mhlophe.

“Prepare yourself. Know your story. Know its topic. Know the content of your story and most of all be presentable. This alleviates fears and doubts and gives self-confidence,” she said.

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Pascar Dube, manager of performing arts and interim general manager at Dumisani Masilela Theatre, said the workshop forms part of the City’s poetry and storytelling masterclass programme focusing on performance techniques, preparation and rhythms used in poetry and storytelling.

“The aim is to use different techniques to make story reading more exciting and appealing to pre-school learners, using various platforms to entertain young audiences.

“The programme is part of the annual Ekurhuleni Youth Month Celebration commemorated in June. This year’s programme is supported by Ekurhuleni Public Employment Programme (EPEP),” said Dube.

“EPEP is an initiative of the National Treasury and Presidential Employment Stimulus. The EPEP employs more than 115 youth and adults in the region,” he said.

“The City transported children/learners mainly from informal settlements in and around the city. The children/learners were awarded an opportunity to be part of the project Nozincwadi Tour (The mother of books) which is a project that Mhlophe has been running for more than twenty years locally and internationally,” said Dube.

Mhlophe read stories, performed poetical proses and at the end, she did a live musical performance alongside Tu Nokwe and children from Ekurhuleni Young-Stars Outreach Programme.

“Tu Nokwe is a world-renowned singer and actress. Nokwe is also part of the mentorship programme for EPEP. The Poetry and Storytelling Festival was a feast of fun and edutainment spectacle for the children/learners and invited audiences,” said Dube.