Two from NC off to youth arts festival
NORTHERN Cape percussion tutor, Ivan Links, and professional performing artist, Monwabisi Bangiwe Ka Jobela, have been invited by Lukulule EV to participate in a youth arts festival in Hamburg, Germany, next month.
“I am over the moon to be part of this exchange programme. I will bringing back some knowledge for our kids,” Jobela said.
The pair will represent Amandla Danca Teatro ZA and Bisi B Creations at the event and will also be touring Spain, Holland, Belgium and Germany as part of an international theatrical skills exchange initiative.
Lukulule is a social-profit organisation, which gives children and the youth the opportunity to develop their craft in arts and social skills. Currently, the organisation is in the process of planning the September festival, which will feature artists from Germany, Ghana and South Africa, under the theme “Formation Now”.
Amandla Danca Teatro was started as a dance company by Brazilian-born Guilherme Duarte and South African Monwabisi Bangiwe Ka Jobela and originally featured three other Brazilian dancers, who performed on three continents.
Subsequently, the troupe has opened its doors to 245 children and youths by introducing African stories told through theatre.
They recently staged a musical production “BahiAfrica”, inviting Duarte to co-choreograph some pieces and to tell more African stories fused with Brazilian culture.
The Afro musical theatre organisation is currently operating in Kimberley under the direction of Mkhululi Z Mabija, Bisi Bangiwe Ka Jobela and Neo Lemphote, together with six other staff members who frequently collaborate with Bisi B Creations, who specialise in providing classes of choreography, teaching, events, pageants and Afro-fitness dance.
Amandla Danca Teatro gives free lessons from 1.30pm to 5pm from Monday to Friday at Zingisa Intermediate while Bisi B Creations conducts free adult dance classes every Monday, Wednesday and Friday, at 6pm at the Mayibuye Arts Centre. Monwabisi Bangiwe Ka Jobela and Ivan Links