A YOUNG Mthatha graduate using art as a tool to educate communities about social ills while providing young people with a platform to nurture their artistic talent is looking to expand his footprint into the province’s rural areas.
Nkosomzi Bavu founded Bavu Drama, Theatre and Performing Arts in 2005 and trains students at the Walter Sisulu University (WSU).
The 27-year-old holds a Public Relations Management degree from the WSU and currently offers free drama, comedy, dance, poetry, storytelling and musical lessons to his peers at the Zamukulungisa campus in Mthatha.
He has attended a number of skills development workshops, festivals and short courses to learn more about the art industry.
The group tours parts of the Mthatha region where they perform plays based on drug use, alcohol, teenage pregnancy, circumcision and crime to raise funds.
But he has also set his eyes on recruiting young people from rural areas where he believes there is a lot of untapped talent.
“I believe the world is incomplete without art, it is through art that people can show their different cultures,” he said.
Bavu is also a newsreader and sports commentator at Mthatha- based Unitra Community Radio.
Born in Dalaguba Location in Libode where he grew up, Bavu said his love for theatre started at the age of 14 after he read a Xhosa novel.
Using his siblings as a cast, he created his first play based on the novel.
He now plans to take his group further around the province, but said they face numerous challenges including the lack of stage props, make-up for artists and costumes.
“We call upon any good Samaritan to assist us so we can reach out to our target audience.
“Not even the sky is the limit to make your dreams come true. We are financially broke but through our ideas we are rich in our minds,” he said.
Veteran stage actor and playwright Khanyiso Billy Dakada said politicians were failing the arts industry although artists helped to liberate the country.
Dakada has been in the arts industry for the past 30 years .
Politicians only used artists to lobby for votes when they were invited to perform at rallies ahead of elections, he said.
“Funding needs a political will. It is politicians who must take it up and develop policies that will bind local and district municipalities to sustain the development of youth and skills through the arts industry.
“Twenty years into democracy, artists are still picking up the crumbs of the leftovers.
“We have the skills but without enough funding these skills will go to other provinces and shebeens,” said Dakada .
The Eastern Cape was rich with talent and it was a shame that the province had only two theatre houses, the Guild Theatre in East London and Opera House in Port Elizabeth, said Dakada. —
EC artist targets untapped talent
Nkosomzi Bavu founded Bavu Drama, Theatre and Performing Arts in 2005 and trains students at the Walter Sisulu University (WSU).
The 27-year-old holds a Public Relations Management degree from the WSU and currently offers free drama, comedy, dance, poetry, storytelling and musical lessons to his peers at the Zamukulungisa campus in Mthatha.
He has attended a number of skills development workshops, festivals and short courses to learn more about the art industry.
The group tours parts of the Mthatha region where they perform plays based on drug use, alcohol, teenage pregnancy, circumcision and crime to raise funds.
But he has also set his eyes on recruiting young people from rural areas where he believes there is a lot of untapped talent.
“I believe the world is incomplete without art, it is through art that people can show their different cultures,” he said.
Bavu is also a newsreader and sports commentator at Mthatha- based Unitra Community Radio.
Born in Dalaguba Location in Libode where he grew up, Bavu said his love for theatre started at the age of 14 after he read a Xhosa novel.
Using his siblings as a cast, he created his first play based on the novel.
He now plans to take his group further around the province, but said they face numerous challenges including the lack of stage props, make-up for artists and costumes.
“We call upon any good Samaritan to assist us so we can reach out to our target audience.
“Not even the sky is the limit to make your dreams come true. We are financially broke but through our ideas we are rich in our minds,” he said.
Veteran stage actor and playwright Khanyiso Billy Dakada said politicians were failing the arts industry although artists helped to liberate the country.
Dakada has been in the arts industry for the past 30 years .
Politicians only used artists to lobby for votes when they were invited to perform at rallies ahead of elections, he said.
“Funding needs a political will. It is politicians who must take it up and develop policies that will bind local and district municipalities to sustain the development of youth and skills through the arts industry.
“Twenty years into democracy, artists are still picking up the crumbs of the leftovers.
“We have the skills but without enough funding these skills will go to other provinces and shebeens,” said Dakada .
The Eastern Cape was rich with talent and it was a shame that the province had only two theatre houses, the Guild Theatre in East London and Opera House in Port Elizabeth, said Dakada. —
Would you like to comment on this article?
Register (it's quick and free) or sign in now.
Please read our Comment Policy before commenting.
Trending Now
Latest Videos