Over 900 delegates from 48 schools in South Africa attended the National Schools' Festival in Grahamstown this year.
With the theme Think…Breathe…Be Creativity, Grade 11 and 12 learners were given the opportunity to explore the Arts, including performance, theatre writing, poetry among others.
Over 900 delegates from 48 schools in South Africa attended the National Schools' Festival in Grahamstown this year.
With the theme Think…Breathe…Be Creativity, Grade 11 and 12 learners were given the opportunity to explore the Arts, including performance, theatre writing, poetry among others.
The opening ceremony was attended by the Deputy Minister of Arts and Culture, Rejoice Mabudafhasi and Eastern Cape MEC of Arts and Culture, Dr Pemmy Majodina on Monday, 14 July.
This year sees the celebration of the 40th anniversary of the opening of the 1820 Settlers National Monument and National Arts Festival, together with the 39th National Schools Festival in the town.
Speaking at the opening ceremony, Mabudafhasi said that the Department of Arts and Culture recognises the role of the National Schools Festival in providing a space where the youth can interact with one another, promoting social cohesion and nation-building, in line with the National Development Plan.
The National Schools Festival forms part of the the South African Schools' Festivals programme which takes places across all provinces. It commences immediately after the National Arts Festival in Grahamstown and has a proven track record of inclusivity and in shifting thinking, so enabling transformative, empowering, and enriching experiences for the learners.
“I haven’t really decided what to do with my life after high school, so I’m hoping that being here will assist me in deciding what to do next,” said Asha Singh, a Grade 12 pupil from Port Shepstone High.
Wandile Gugwana, also a Grade 12 pupil said, “I like the fact that this festival brings different leaners from different provinces together, where we can discuss ideas and our future plans -not forgetting the experience it provides and knowledge we gain from it.”
Esethu Mngxunyeni, from Cape Town’s LEAP Science and Maths School said, “Being here means a lot to me because as the youth we [tend to]want to impress other people and venture into careers we don’t have passion for; but the festival helps one find what ones heart desires and [what we truly]aspire to be in life”.
The delegates choose which workshops to attend from a wide variety and workshops are led by professionals in the Arts community. They also interact in hands-on activities, such as trying out skills, discovering aspects of themselves, discovering their talents and learning to work creatively in groups. Many workshops result in small performances and writing.
Executive Director of the Grahamstown Foundation, Louisa Clayton, said, “The programme is closely directed; every minute of the day is committed to workshops, lectures, productions, movies or interaction with artists.”
The National Schools Festival will be concluded today, Thursday, 17 July with a prize-giving ceremony.
