Classic play for the youth

Ivory Park resident Jeminah Madonsela is a young woman who can relate to the story of Sarafina. “I’m a young woman who is unfortunately a teenage mother and as a result I’ve experienced a lot of hardship,” she said.

Madonsela has lived in Ivory Park all her life and said she wanted to share her love for storytelling with the youth in her church. “I started Special Stars, a non-profit organisation (NPO) that focuses on theatre and dance productions. Sarafina is our first performance which we’ve staged here at the Holy Rosary Church,” she said.

Father Hermann van Dijck of the church said he was proud of the work Madonsela was doing with the youth. “Youth need dreams to achieve in order to lead a purposeful life,” he said. “I am happy that through this production they are learning to dream and create their own future.”

Van Dijck said the production was well-received in the church and members were looking forward to the next play by the group.

Zintle Sibaya, who was a supporting actress in the play said she thoroughly enjoyed herself. “I am so happy, I get to do what I love and it keeps us away from the streets,” said the Grade 8 pupil at Eqinisweni Senior Secondary school.

As for Madonsela, she dreams of seeing her NPO going from strength to strength. “We are hoping to grow. I just want them [the youth] to see the value of education and the importance of leading your life responsibly,” she said.

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