Groups makes language come alive
Threatre group educate learners through performing arts.
KABOKWENI – In a bid to improve results in schools for siSwati home language.
The Maqhawe theatre group has taken an initiative to help all grade twelve learners in the area by dramatising Swazi novels at all schools in disadvantaged communities, as this has led to improved results in the subject.
The group was formed in 1996 with seven members with the aim of creating a school of arts in the community, but has now grown to 25, and has made a difference in the lives of learners. It focuses on singing, acting, poetry, dancing and drama.
“This group wanted to keep children off the streets and reduce crime in communities through art,” said group leader Johannes Msomi.
It has performed in other provinces such as Limpopo for HIV/Aids awareness and at the Gauteng Arts Festival.
The initiative started in 2008 as a tool to help learners excel in the language and also encourage them not to lose interest in it.
They will take two weeks to perform for learners at schools in the Gert Sibande District.
Maqhawe has won the Jet community awards at provincial and national level.
“We see it as important to dramatise the novels, because it becomes easier for pupils when they write their year-end exams,” said Msomi.
They have dramatised novels such as Kwasa emini and Kubamba letingelako, and this has helped schools such as Jerusalem High, Zwelisha High and Nkunzi Secondary School to obtain an average of above 70% in the language.
Maqhawe is proud to help with the education of the youth and wants to put Mpumalanga on the map. “We want to have Swazi interpreters, to see movies in our language, and make sure this language doesn’t die,” concluded Msomi.
