Organisation seeks to unlock talents of old
STEELPOORT - Restoring cultural heritage through plays, storytelling and poetry in schools is the aim of a theatrical project in Tubatse. This is the vision of Fireside Theatre of Limpopo Village Trust.
Director, Mike Gardner visited Mapodile Library last Friday to inform locals on his projects. The event was attended by traditional artists, poets, actors and local educators.
“We want to ensure the conservation of an important part of the cultural heritage of local communities by recording myths, folklore, legends and other items of indigenous knowledge, customs, lifestyle and history,” Gardner said.
He told Steelburger/ Lydenburg News that their aim is to stimulate creative writing at school level by mentoring promising youth to write scripts, short stories based on stories they learned while still young.
“Years ago we used to sit next to the fire and listen to our grandparents narrating tales. I wish to have our pupils to these out.” Fireside Theatre has also already adopted Imbita. “We are having rehearsals with the pupils.”
In Tubatse the initiative is spearheaded by Ga Mampuru’s Dennias Mashegwane, well known for playing flute, piano and singing jazz and African music.
They aim to use the medium of live stage performance to inform the youth about environmental and social issues.
Fireside Theatre was registered as an NGO in 2004.
