WATCH: Great play by Johannesburg Society for the Blind
They are still going to Joburg Theatre on June 18 and Lefika La Phodisa, Children Institute on June 20. All the shows are free of charge.
The Johannesburg Society for the Blind (JSB) and Johannesburg Child Welfare (JCW), in collaboration with the Inner City Play Project, presented a play called The Stories We See at Roseacre on June 11.
The audience was thrilled by the talent they saw on the day. Besides the impeccable acting skills, the cast can sing!
The play navigates through challenges that visually impaired people go through daily – be it in public transport or church, the play explores it. The strong 15-cast members took the audience on the journey.
Operations officer Nkosana Kubheka and CEO Vangile Nyamathe welcomed the guests and explained the purpose of the day.
“We start the day on a sad note, because the choreographer of the play, Bigboy Ndlovu was laid to rest on Thursday, and he won’t see this talent today. However, we are glad that the director, Gcebile Dlamini here with us,” he said.
Dlamini explained how she got involved with JSB. “As an artist I always challenge myself. I started with three actors; Siphokazi, Peter and Justice. And today we have this cast. I must say it was not easy to get here. However, with a calling everything is possible.
“My calling is working with people and communities. I’ve been here for five years and I will continue working with JSB. This production started last year. I will also like to acknowledge Bigboy and other people whom I’m working with because I’m not alone in this journey,” she said.
The cast express themselves
Some of the cast members expressed their joy in working with Gcebile and Bigboy. “I’ve been here for the past eight years and started working with Gcebile last year. It wasn’t easy as I didn’t understand other things. I didn’t know, as blind people, we would be able to do this.
Here, we are portraying that we can do whatever other people who are not blind can do. Other people don’t take this serious as we live with this disability. Thank you Bigboy, even though he is no longer with us,” explained Kamohelo Motsweni.
Bonga Noswili said we need to trust ourselves first. “I also learned that you need to know yourself and know what you want. I came here and found people going to church, I also joined them. I’m a celebrity today because of this place.”
Thabile Dube said she came to JCW to play netball and the coach told her that there was this play. She noted that she couldn’t believe that she can do a play. however, through dedication, she managed.
Sibonginkosi Phiri also from JCW attested that Gcebile and Bigboy helped her to be herself and come out of her shell and explore the world.
Immaculate Ndlovu said she started in February to do drama. “The process was challenging. At first, I didn’t understand anything about disabilities. However, now I do. I know that visually impaired people are capable people and I am honoured to be part of this production. On every stage that we will be performing we will be dedicating the show to Bigboy,” she said.
Besides JSC, the play has been performed at Thembalethu (JCW) and Alex Arts Academy. They are still going to Joburg Theatre on June 18 and Lefika La Phodisa, Children Institute on June 20. All the shows are free of charge.
The JSB is an NPO that caters for blind and partially sighted persons in Johannesburg. It was founded in 1926 to help civilians who were blinded during World War I. The centre provides accommodation, employment, rehabilitation, orientation, mobility and skills of daily living to the blind. It is situated at 159 North Road, Roseacre.
