A new arts and heritage centre is bringing hope to a rural community, just 30km from Hillcrest. Situated beside the scenic Inanda Dam, the Wushwini Community falls under the traditional authority of Chief Bhengu, who is the chairperson of the House of Traditional Leaders in KwaZulu-Natal.
Story by William Charlton-Perkins; Photographs by Val Adamson
This poverty-stricken area has a high rate of unemployment and many orphans, due to past political violence. Although the area is now peaceful, like much of South Africa, it is faced with the challenge of HIV/AIDS.
This rural community is not far from the city, but it lacks basic infrastructure such as transport, safe running water, health and recreational facilities. All of which contribute to the high levels of teenage pregnancy, HIV/AIDS, alcohol and drug abuse.
When attending the opening of a community hall in the area, playwright, director and lecturer Jerry Pooe was shocked to see young people consuming alcohol. His shock grew when they asked, “What do you want us to do? There is nothing to do here.”
Those words gave him sleepless nights until he spotted an old vandalised school in the area and a lifelong dream was put into motion – a dream of creating a home for children and young people, a place where talent could be moulded, and a means of reviving hope in this rural community.
The local chief kindly donated the land and the building, and the KwaZulu-Natal Department of Arts and Culture donated R700 000 towards its development. Further funds came (and continue to come) from Eager Artists, the production company established by Jerry Pooe and Ben Zungu in 1993, when they were students at the University of Natal. “Eager Artists Productions was born from our desire to showcase black talent and for people to tell their own stories,” says Pooe.
In 1994, Moipone, an adaptation of Modikoe Dikobe’s novel Marabi Dance, was the first undergraduate show to be performed at the Elizabeth Sneddon Theatre, with a cast of youth that Eager Artists Productions trained during weekends, as well as drama students and professional artists who volunteered their time. The musical received tremendous attention and an invitation to the Playhouse Stage, where it received rave reviews. This was the real beginning of Eager Artists Productions’ success. Over the years, the company has toured South Africa and beyond, visiting the US, Canada, France, Holland, Ethiopia and Ruanda, amongst others.
Once the plan for the Wushwini Arts and Culture Heritage Centre was set, the community rallied together, clearing the site and helping to build the new heart of their neighbourhood, which was launched in April 2011. The centre includes a film studio, heritage room, 80-seat theatre, training room, amphitheatre, coffee shop and administrative block.
No one is turned away and demand has been such that management were forced to expand the centre to accommodate all the children and young people eager to express their creativity. This process is ongoing and more support is needed to ensure that this special place continues to grow.
Despite the challenges, Eager Artists Productions strives to serve and develop local communities and to take developed youth to professional stages for their talents to shine. Well known for its educational programmes and musicals, Eager Artists aims to build and revive the spirit of ubuntu by providing high-quality arts, culture and heritage programmes for today’s and future generations. This will, in turn, help create job opportunities, nurture young talent, create cultural tourism opportunities, revive community pride and grow a network of committed artists in SA and across Africa.
Driving along the winding roads of Inanda Valley, few would imagine a theatre in the middle of this rural area, let alone one that leaves audiences from the city and nearby schools enthralled and enthusiastic to return. Not only does Wushwini Arts and Culture Heritage Centre provide an outlet for local children, it is a source of pride for the community, allowing them to tell their stories and develop their culture for our modern era.
Individuals or corporates interested in bringing their financial support to this brave development initiative can contact Jerry Pooe on 083 732 1640 or at jerrypooe@yahoo.com.
1 Comment
Read about your upcoming performances for Human Rights Day. Will you be performing near Durban? Keep up the good work.