Bringing change through drama
Classes are open to children in Grade R to Grade 10 and are held from 9am to 5pm at 248 Mashemong, Tembisa.
In an effort to positively occupy young people’s time, Mapula Setlhako has started Saturday drama classes.
Classes are open to children in Grade R to Grade 10 and are held from 9am to 5pm at 248 Mashemong, Tembisa.
Setlhako is hoping to eventually branch out into Kempton Park.
The drama teacher is an academic, thespian, applied theatre practitioner, director, drama coach and lecturer.
“Our children don’t know what to do with their time and end up engaging in drugs, especially nyaope,” she said.
Her journey in the arts started when she was still a teenager at the Mmabana Arts, Culture and Sports Foundation in Mafikeng, North-West.
She then went on to work as a drama teacher for different art institutions, including the South African State Theatre and the Mmabana Mahikeng Arts, Culture and Sports Foundation until she joined TV programmes such as Muvhango and Rhythm City, working behind the scenes as a script supervisor.
“I have always been a drama teacher by profession and calling, teaching wherever I found an opportunity to teach,” she explained.
Setlhako started her classes in September last year and believes drama helps children develop various skills.
“Drama helps develop creativity, inquisitiveness, communication, empathy, self-confidence, co-operation, leadership and negotiation skills. Most importantly, drama activities are fun – making learning both enjoyable and memorable,” the teacher stated.
What do her classes entail?
“I teach the basic foundation of drama, including storytelling, children’s theatre and puppetry. I use a pedagogy called process drama by Dorothy Heathcote. This method allows learners to create and own their work, it is also very engaging.”
Setlhako furthered her studies at the Tshwane University of Technology and graduated with a National Diploma in Performing Arts.
She is an honours graduate from Wits University’s, Drama for Life.
Drama for Life, based at Wits, is an arts centre for social transformation and healing.
“In 2015, I joined the Market Theatre Laboratory as a part-time drama tutor, and in 2017 I joined the critically acclaimed film school AFDA as an ad-hoc lecturer in performance studies for first years.”
The drama coach also owns a children’s theatre company that teaches storytelling, puppetry and children’s theatre in the disadvantaged primary schools in the Tembisa community.
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She has great ambitions.
“I am a very passionate and rigorous woman, a leader by birth, and my big dream is becoming the Minister of Arts and Culture in this country one day. I am very political in my approach and very opinionated,” she further added.
Setlhako has been mentored by big shots in the industry such as Aubrey Sekhabi, Mpumelelo Paul Grootboom and Duma Ndlovu.
She has acted on screen and in theatre.
On television, she has been on Scandal, Muvhango and eKasi: Our Stories.
On stage, she has performed in Paul Grootboom’s famous play Cards, Raisin in the Sun directed by Jerry Mofokeng, Sophiatown directed by Vuyo Maphela, Yerma directed by Woutrin van Wyk, Membership directed by Thato Motlhaolwa and lastly Unonqhause directed by Bhebhe.
Her show, The Runner, was nominated to perform at the Olive Tree Theatre Woman’s Arts Festival in 2017.
What makes Setlhako happy?
“Seeing people prosper because of my positive words.”
Classes cost R150 per month, for more information about the classes call 063 342 8936.
