On the 9th of March 2024 people from different walks of life (in Gauteng) flocked to Soweto Theatre (known as Gibson Kente Theatre) to witness the Dramatic Arts Showcase by learners from the schools around Gauteng.
The fact that it is difficult for learners and other community people to attend (artistic shows) competitions the playing fields have been levelled to give equal opportunity to the talented and arts lovers to attend the showcase. The initiative by the GDE, SACOPA, and Gibson Kente Theatre to work hard in such a fashion to organize and to bring together schools and community alike was truly driven by the passion about getting the best talent on stage.
The Performing Arts tend to unify people and communities in a way nothing does. In his famous quote, Oscar Wilde, said “The Stage is not merely the meeting place of all the arts, but it is also the return of arts to life”. The arts are like a mirror held towards the society through which when reflected helps the society to see itself. Through the arts we educate, entertain, enlighten, inform, and mobilizes the communities around us.
Even though South Africa has quickly become a complicated country to live and nurture talents due to the political atmosphere prevailing, the performing arts continue to bring people together. The Dramatic Arts Showcase has and still is serving as a conduit to help learners achieve their dreams by creating equal opportunity for all to participate in the offerings. It is no big secret that getting learners in the performing arts can have major benefits as not all learners are destined to be Scientists, Mechanics, etc.
As learners entered and exited the stage after their performances, there was much laughter and emotional whispers as audiences were entertained by the young artists. The stage was painted with scenes that brought vivid life experiences which made some members of the audiences wipes tears away in remembrance of their personal experiences in life.
To all the learners who participated as actors and or audiences, “It is your responsibility to winning and losing that makes you a winner or a loser during competitions”. There is a hefty price to pay, however the end is fulfilling as you will be rewarded dearly for living your God given dreams.
Judges and adjudicators are faced with the challenges of deciding on the overall winners of the Dramatic Arts Showcase as all the participants were very good at what they were doing. It was no secret that they all did engage their niche bodies into the energy sapping activities to be nominated as the best.
