(Josee
Atumenga: a KiSwahili poet performing at Botho Festival
in a piece called “Mimi
NiAfrika”)
Wushwini Pan African Centre alongside
Inanda Dam stages its ground-breaking Botho Heritage Festival from October 23 to
27.
Wushwini Pan African Centre, spearheaded by
its founder, Jerry Pooe, will host a five-day arts festival titled Botho Heritage
International Festival ‘umuntu ngumuntu ngabantu’. This annual cultural
initiative runs from October 23 to 27 at Wushwini, overlooking the scenic Inanda
Dam in KwaNgcolosi, KwaZulu-Natal.
Says Festival Director Jerry Pooe: “We
warmly welcome all our Botho Heritage International Festival artists and
audiences. This sixth annual festival is given in salute of South Africa’s 25
Years of Democracy, while celebrating our freedom as South Africans. We also
celebrate who we are. Without our heritage, our culture, our roots, our
history, we are a lost nation. ‘Botho’ is a Sotho word meaning ‘ubuntu’. Non-practice of ubuntu, which is what defines
us as Africans, leaves us soulless humans. It is thus we stage the festival by
beating the drums to revive ubuntu bethu.”
(Left: “Relentless”)
“Botho Heritage Festival features a vibrant
programme of acts by a strong line-up of groups and companies from
KwaZulu-Natal, Uganda, Botswana, Republic of Congo, Mozambique, Zimbabwe,
Swaziland, Gauteng and Free State, showcasing quality dance, music, theatre,
storytelling, exhibitions literature, fashion, crafts, wine tasting and
poetry. We are sincerely grateful to
Ethekwini Municipality and KZN Department of Arts and Culture for supporting
the festival, not forgetting all the participants who believe in the vision of
this festival, and all Wushwini and Eager Artists staff for the hard work in
ensuring the success of this festival. We invite you to participate and to
enjoy the rare experience in our Kingdom.”
Sacred
Music Sacred Sounds, the festival’s opening event,
is directed by Jerry Pooe and Bongumusa Shabalala featuring Victor Sithole,
Omama Besigekle, Volley Nchabeleng, Omama BaseWushwini, Xolani Henema,
Nhlakanipho Maphumulo and Madala Kunene. This will be held on October 23 from 19h00
to 20h00 as the official launch of the festival. The performance will introduce
audiences in deep African roots through indigenous sounds and melodies
reminding Africans who they are.
(Right: “Sebenza”)
On the same day there will be a feast of
theatre performances from 11h00 such as Iso
Lomona, The Dress, Bafana’s Proposal, for the community and learners.
This will be followed on October 24 by The Tribe,
Umagejageja, Aluta Continua theatre pieces, a workshop at 13h00 by Baby
Cele of Uzalo on Acting For Television, then Imvunge Yezinkonkoni and Isisekelo
dance pieces, closing the night with an internationally acclaimed Mother Africa and Her Melodies by Volley
Nchabeleng, followed by Fashion show co-ordinated by Nguni Shades and Wine
Tasting.
(Left: “Rooilug”)
The programme on October 25 opens at 11h00
with The Power of Amahubo Workshop by an expert on indigenous music, Mbuso
Khoza, followed by an award-winning production Rooilug by Jefferson,J,
Dirks-Korkee, Morwa an award and
international acclaimed production from Botswana by Tefo Paya, You Are An Eagle a story-telling
production from Gauteng, Ukama, A numerous award winning production from
Zimbabwe, Ilanga Musical from North
West, closing the evening with DJ BROWN.
On October 26, there will be a feast of
indigenous celebration featuring IMVUMO from different groups, Khoi San
dancers, Griqualand dancers, Basotho Dancers with maskandi explosion featuring
KHUZANI, Matshitshi Ngema, Mancushe, Izintombi Zengidi, Amachube Amahle and
local groups the programme will be directed by Dudu Khoza of Ukhozi FM. The
night will be closed by the battle of the local DJ’s. In the library we will
also have Sir Roel Twinstra (Netherlands) and Dr Emma Durden (SA) Introducing
their three theatre books.
On October 27, the festival will close with
Music Meets Poetry featuring Bongani
Mavuso a celebrated poet, Samukelisiwe Mthethwa from Swaziland, Josee Apumanga
DRC, Bongani Nkwanyana, Naema K, Bongani Baai and DJ Muntu.
Botho Heritage International Festival
tickets are R20 per show for theatre and dance and R50 for a day pass. The
Saturday’ Maskandi Explosion and Sunday’s Music
Meets Poetry tickets are R50. For more information contact Zethu Phoswa 067
230 4214.
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