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Thursday, August 7, 2014

JUMPING JIMINY – IT’S JONGOSI!



The 22nd annual Witness Hilton Arts Festival is offering a bumper Jongosi schools arts festival embedded in the main festival, for high schools and primary schools to have a tailor-made package ahead of the main event.

It will take place on the beautiful grounds of the Hilton College from September 18 to 21, 2014, with Jongosi taking place over two days:  Thursday September 18 for Primary Schools and Friday September 19 for High Schools.

This is the fifth year in which the Witness Hilton Arts Festival has hosted a special schools festival. This year’s festival starts with a carefully-thought through programme of age-specific arts-events aimed at schools. Approximately 1,500 learners will experience the thrill of the performing arts daily over the two day programme. It is a celebration of all that is young, new and vibrant and has been dubbed “Jongosi” – Johnny Clegg’s word from the Afrikaans meaning “jong os” which has become absorbed into isiZulu parlance. Jongosi is designed to educate, entertain and allow learners to expand their world-view. Jongosi has been a phenomenal success so it is being further developed for this year.

“Children will be fully occupied in a day filled with performance, wonder and inspiration. They will have the opportunity to experience a festival atmosphere as well as watching several performances. Some refreshment outlets will be open. Alternatively, children may bring their own packed lunch,” explains festival director Sue Clarence.

Teachers are asked to diarise the event and book early as it is anticipated that Jongosi will become fully subscribed: Primary Schools Day (September 18) is R198 per head; and High Schools Day (September 19) is R330 per head.

The business community is invited to support this initiative by sponsoring a group of underprivileged learners to attend the festival Jongosi days. The costs (inclusive of transport, tickets for the day and a light meal) would be:

Primary Schools: 34 children in a 35 seater bus for R10,000; 15 children in a 16 seater bus for R5,000.
High Schools – 34 children in a 35 seater bus for R13,750 and 15 children in a 16 seater bus for R6,800.

To get onto the mailing list or book for schools, contact Sheryl: theatre@hiltoncollege.com

The festival would not be possible without: The Witness; Hilton College; Grindrod Bank; Black Coffee; SPAR; Tops; Chemspec; SAB; Dept of Arts & Culture KZN; Zultrans; Budget Car Hire; BASA; LTJ Travel; Sappi; Midlands Meander; Accommodation: Stay Easy Hotel & Fern Hill Hotel (offer reduced rates); Music Revival: Parklane SPAR & Marriott

More information on the Witness Hilton Arts Festival at www.hiltonfestival.co.za