Performers from Tantyi Primary School were thrilled when they left a recent Department of Education arts festival in Bisho having come third in both the cultural dance and drama categories.
Performers from Tantyi Primary School were thrilled when they left a recent Department of Education arts festival in Bisho having come third in both the cultural dance and drama categories.
The students, who competed against a number of schools in the Eastern Cape including Masango and Fikizolo, were described by their teachers as being over the moon once the final results were announced.
They had spent two hours a day practising for their big moment with the help of two volunteer students where were also performers at the national arts festival this year.
Mathie Ntlumbini, a teacher at Tantyi, praised cultural dance teacher Matshawandile Ketsheni and drama coordinator Mzwanele Jodwena for the extra time they spent with the students but, most importantly, for helping them fight through their nerves on the day of the performance.
“We nearly dropped out of the competition due to nervousness” said Ntlumbini. However once they were on stage, Ntlumbini was amazed to see how well the students performed – especially as it was their very first time performing in front of a large group of people.
Taking third position was a big achievement for both the students and Tantyi Primary school as a whole.
“We thank Makana Municipality for providing a space were the children rehearsed every day before the competition, this really boosted their confidence,” said Ntlumbini.
The school also extended their gratitude to Soxonjwa Nosigqibo, a member of SES who was the main coordinator of the event. She helped deliver pamphlets about the event to Tantyi notifying the teachers that there was a competition that students could take part in.
After their success, both students and teachers are ready to take part next year, this time with their eyes set on first place.
It was time of surprises for the school as, earlier that week,Tantyi received 110 story books in English and isiXhosa donated by Bibilonef South Africa, an NGO that donates books to under-resourced children’s organisations.
“We plan to make reading corners around the classroom so that the students can read everyday” said Ntlumbini.
An agreement was signed between Biblionef and the school explaining how the students could access the books once they were donated.
