For the Joy of the arts

The absence of extramural activities in schools and in townships can lead to young people getting up to mischief and doing crime.

Joy Matangari (21), however, didn’t just want to sit back and watch the problem grow, but instead left a full-time job to establish a non-profit organisation called Ithuteng Art Festival (IAF).

The aim of the organisation is to convene an annual arts festival for Tembisa talent; IAF also works with schools where there are no arts, by imparting basic art skills.

The organisation was launched this year, but still little was known about the founder.

The Tembisan spoke to Joy Matangari to unravel the web of mystery and speculations about her as a community builder.

The Tembisa-born artist has been acting since she was eight years old.

“I have been part of acting groups at Emazenkeni, which is now known as Moses Molelekwa Arts Centre.

“My first interest in acting was when I went to Urban Brew Studios to become part of the Yo-TV Land Show,” said Joy.

“It was a talent show where children were given a chance to showcase their talents. I was inspired and I told myself that I wanted to try acting. In Grade Three I entered a school talent show.

“I went on stage and messed up my lines. I had excessive stage fright and after that I told myself I would never get on stage again.”

“My teacher would advise me to practise my lines in front of a mirror, which did help.

“In high school I tried sport which did not work out for me. I then got into a music class – I knew it was not going to be easy learning music notes but I made an extra effort.”

She said in Sir Pierre Van Ryneveld High School she did house plays.

“I even have a team blazer awarded to me for participating in arts. You earn that blazer by being part of the arts for more than two years. That was in Grade 11 and in Grade 12 I was acknowledged as the best arts co-ordinator.”

Dramatic arts were part of her subjects at school from Grade 10 to Grade 12.

In 2014 Joy said she took a gap year and worked for a branding and marketing company as a personal assistant.

“Due to financial constraints I couldn’t study further. After matric I worked as a personal assistant for five months and I moved to another company where I worked as a sales consultant.

“I left both jobs.”

Joy then ventured into social entrepreneurship and now she is running the NPO.

“I am happy doing this but I am still working towards my ultimate goals.

“One day I want to work with all Ekurhuleni schools and I want to facilitate their interaction in all art forms.”

She said parents should know that art is fun and educational for their children.

“Art has a role in poverty alleviation and it can create employment.”

“People can start their own organisations and make money.”

She said corporates can support NPOs financially, or people can enter the mainstream media industry as actors, dancers or musicians.

Joy said her mother supports her career choice and reckons all parents should do the same by being there for their children.