Play urges children to care for the environment
A powerful new ecological theatre show aims to encourage primary school children to care for the environment and take a stand against climate change.
The message in Forest Spirits of Azibo, written and directed by Menzi Mkhwane, hit home when it was staged for learners at Pelham Primary School in Pietermaritzburg.
Performed by Sibusiso Mhlongo and Andile Vilakazi, the story centres on a young girl called
Amara Mazolo, whose family is directly impacted by pollution from a nearby factory. Chemicals are polluting the river and poisoning the village’s cattle.
Things get worse when the greedy owner of the plant, Shima, begins to target the nearby forest, cutting down trees to turn them into paper products.
In a poignant moment, the character, Gamba Mazolo, says: “Animals are dying. Mother Nature is angry because people do not want to listen. They [the people at the factory] have taken everything from us. The only thing that is left is Azibo’s forest.”
The words are simple, but perfectly encapsulate the harm that deforestation, pollution, global warming and humanity’s desire for material things is having on the Earth.
In the play, Amara appeals to the spirits of the forest to help her save the village and the forest. They hear her plea and grant her the ability to speak to the birds and animals and later to command the elements.
Mhlongo and Vilkazi use simple props and the power of physical theatre to bring every character to life, from little Amara and Gamba, to the workers at the factory, villainous Shima and the different birds and animals.
Subtle use of music, the sound of chainsaws and recorded voice overs, which represent the forest spirits, further add to the immersive nature of the storytelling.
The actors also happily get some of the children involved in the performance, picking out learners to take on the roles of a tree, Mrs. Pigeon, Mr. Rhino and Miss Dog, much to the amusement of the rest of their Grade 5 group.
Speaking to Capital Newspapers about the show, Mkhwane said, for a long time, he had wanted to create a play with a strong ecological message.
The impact of the recent devastating floods in KwaZulu-Natal simply underscored how important it is to show young people how human activity affects the natural world.
Through his play, Mkhwane also stresses that everyone, no matter how young they are, can make a difference and that, if we all work together, we can save our planet for future generations.
Watching the Pelham learners so engaged in the performance and their insightful questions during the question and answer session which followed, it was clear that Mkhwane has achieved his goal.
Pelham principal Lorrel Wissing said the play had a strong and powerful message, adding: “It came through loud and clear and was a lovely way for the children to benefit and learn at the same time.”
The next step, Mkhwane says, is to get as many children as possible to see Forest Spirits of Azibo.
“I would especially like to take it to those living in rural areas; that’s why it is presented in a mix of English and isiZulu. I want it to be as accessible as possible,” he said.
· For more information, send an email to Menzi Mkhwane Creations at menzimkhwanecreations@gmail.com or WhatsApp the company at 079 554 4941.