our first performance!!!

On Saturday 4th April, the actors from our Masakhane Drama Project had the first opportunity to perform to a live audience.

It was a day of celebration! Community members who had completed courses in firefighting and first aid where handed their certificates at this ceremony, and they where both astonished and entertained by the antics of the various performers.

A short, hillarious piece was performed by an elderly gentleman (Stanford) and his nephew(Joseph). Much to the entertainment of our guests, Jenni Gilles and Duncan from SAB Miller, they where included in the play. Our actors used the performance as an avenue of thanking Jenni for her continued support, as well as making Duncan feel right at home.

The two charachters where amazed at the arrival of Mr. Duncan "Mc Cloud" from "English"(as opposed to England).

The language method of repeating things in both English and Tswana was well demonstrated, and we confirmed that this method will be effective once we are on the road. As a matter of fact, it added to the commic effect.

Our odd acting couple thanked our visitor from SAB Miller's London office and Jenni Gilles for their continued support and for helping us to teach one another about HIV.

Whilst Jenni was given honorary citizenship of Masakhane, Duncan was convinced to try the locally brewed Pineapple beer, and our chefs presented all the guests with home baked cookies!

The great surprise of the morning where our junior traditional dancing troups - both the boys and the girls troups performed to the great entertainment of locals and visitors allike.

A cullinary and artistic coup!

Thanks very much to Sue and Paul West who joined us for the day, and who have started helping and taking part in Masakhane development. They will be involved especially with the Nursery school project and the food gardens.

Important note!!!!
Sonja van der Vyver, our main educator and developer at Masakhane, is inviting everyone who is interested to sponsor a child for the holliday project. Each group of three children are given a disposable camera, some photography skills and a short course in writing. They then compile a story of their own with the theme "Life in Masakhane". The results will be published in book form and the proceeds used to provide constructive holliday programmes for the kids of the village.

Sponsorship of a child costs R250.00 and one will be able to follow their progress on the main Masakhane blog. (see top of the page)

Please contact Sonja for details at iansonja@vodamail.co.za or to register as a Friend of the Masakhane Children.

Love and light to all

Sam Savage

13 April 2009