Cape Argus

‘Inspiring’ Jantjie, 11, in Fugard play

- Nwabisa Masiza STAFF REPORTER nwabisa.masiza@inl.co.za

THE SKY is the limit for 11-year-old Siya Jantjie, a pupil at the Forres School in Newlands, who is set to feature in an Athol Fugard play,

The play, will be at the Fugard Theatre until September 24, is inspired by the life of farm worker, Nukain Mabuza, known for painting rocks on a koppie in bright colours.

Siya will play Bokkie, an assistant to Mabuza, as he tackles the arduous task of painting the final boulder on the koppie.

His teacher, Averil Budworth, described young Siya as “inspiring and stupendous”.

“Siya is an enthusiast­ic and energetic young boy filled with energy, for just any activity he is involved in.

“He is a great learner in the classroom, who shows dedication for school related activities and sports, too. He also has a lot of passion for artistic work, drama and arts, and has been involved in small plays.

“In the time that I have spent with him, I must say that he is indeed an ambitious young boy.”

Siya joined fellow pupils in painting pebbles in a similar fashion to Mabuza’s artwork, to hand out to patrons as a memento on opening night at the Fugard on August 31.

After being involved in a crash that nearly claimed his life, Siya was adopted by a Newlands family. He told the Cape Argus yesterday that he was very excited about landing a role in the play.

“I’m very excited and looking forward to next week and the role I’ll be playing in the play. I am the only one from my school who will be in the show and I feel very happy about that. It’s a story which creates mixed emotions for me.

“The story touches on Mabuza’s life and what he was passionate about, which was rock painting. It’s a happy but sad story at the same time. Bokkie, in the play, is a helper who offers help to Nukain. Being part of this for me has been fun and motivating.

“It gives me the determinat­ion to involve myself in more things like this. There will be four characters in the show, with five people. What the people can expect is an enjoyable moment on the night.”

Tickets are from R140 to R180 and will be available at the Fugard Theatre box office or Computicke­t.

 ?? PICTURE: TRACEY ADAMS ?? TALENTED: Khiran Makan, 10, Saskia van Otterlo, 11, and Siya Jantjie, 11, from Forres school in Newlands are painting rocks which will be given to the audience attending the play .
PICTURE: TRACEY ADAMS TALENTED: Khiran Makan, 10, Saskia van Otterlo, 11, and Siya Jantjie, 11, from Forres school in Newlands are painting rocks which will be given to the audience attending the play .

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