“Grade 7 is a sensitive age. If we don’t give learners tools to manage relationships and emotions before high school, we lose them.”

These are the words of Baobulb Drama Academy founder Brian Jokozela as the academy announced that its Transition Tales project, funded by the Department of Sport, Arts and Culture through the Mzansi Golden Economy (MGE), will roll out in early 2027.

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The MGE is a strategic initiative by the department designed to optimise the economic benefits of the arts, culture, and heritage sectors. Operating under the philosophy that these creative industries represent South Africa’s ‘new gold’, the strategy aims to accelerate economic development, stimulate sustainable job creation, and foster social cohesion across the country.

Grade 7 learners across public primary schools in Ivory Park, Ebony Park, Kaalfontein, Rabie Ridge, and Greater Midrand will receive free support to prepare for secondary school through a new theatre-in-education project.

At the centre of the project is the play Sweethearts and Brats, a production exploring relationships, adolescence, and personal growth, which Jokozela said was born from what teachers see every day.

“We are seeing bullying and aggression, disrespect towards teachers and parents, low self-esteem, poor communication, difficulty managing emotions, and negative attitudes towards learning. Grade 7 is a sensitive age…” said Jokozela.

Transition Tales aims to promote positive relationships, self-awareness, empathy, and life skills while giving learners a safe platform to express themes.

The project will recruit and train 26 young artists as arts fieldworkers, with two assigned to each participating primary school to work with Grade 7 learners after school for two hours, three days a week, during January 2027 using play-based learning and rehearsals for Sweethearts and Brats.

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In February and March 2027, each school will host a Play Presentation and Talk Show Day, where learners will perform and engage in open dialogue with teachers and parents about the issues raised in the play.

“This is not just a play. It’s a classroom intervention. The outcomes we want are improved confidence, better relationships between learners, teachers and parents, and practical life skills.”

The academy is inviting Grade 7 heads of department, life orientation teachers, and principals to enrol their schools, with participation free for selected schools.

Interested schools must submit a letter of interest on an official letterhead, stating the school name and contact person, via email to lulamajokozela@gmail.com with the subject line ‘Transition Tales – School Enrolment’, after which the project team will contact the school for a briefing meeting.

“Transition Tales is about ensuring that when our children go to high school, they go with self-awareness and respect. Ivory Park and Midrand, this is for you,” concluded Jokozela.

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