As part of the South African National Schools Festivals, a project of the Grahamstown Foundation, the festival breaks cultural barriers as youth from different backgrounds come together to experience the thrill of the arts. The Sasol Schools Festival series is a platform that includes disadvantaged schools and encourages debate around historical and social issues facing South African youth. The value of the Sasol Schools Festival is recognised by schools, ranging from the most affluent to the most indigent that grow from the experience.

 

The designed programme is linked to various aspects of the national curriculum, and aims to stimulate learners on matters outside of the classroom. Various workshops and sessions will focus on developing self esteem, national pride, and a collective identity as South Africans. These workshops provide an interactive platform, promoting arts as a viable economic activity and a possible career option for grade 11 students.

 

Since sponsoring the festival for over 20 years, the Sasol Schools Festivals have grown significantly, from initially hosting one festival in one province, to hosting four festivals each year, targeting Gauteng, Free State and Northern Cape as well as Mpumalanga schools.

 

The Gauteng leg has a double two day festival that started from 13 - 14 September and 15 – 16 September at Wits University. The keynote speaker for Festival I was TV presenter and producer, Roxy Burger and for Festival II it is Johannesburg-based actor, Jaques De Silva.

 

The festival comprises of four productions, three lectures and 18 exciting workshops which focus on different genres of the performing arts. The schedule includes ‘Shakespeare’s R&J’, a vibrant new adaption of Romeo and Juliet, directed by Fred Abrahamse.

 

Another highlight is ‘Big Boys Don’t Dance’, presented by Follow Spot Productions, and directed by Vanessa Harris. The show is a satirical looks at the pre-wedding experiences of an average South African man through energetic dance moves and amusing antics.

 

Pamilla Mudhray, Sasol’s Group Community Affairs manager says, “In a meaningful way, we want to spur creativity in our learners. This festival creates an important platform for dialogue among youth from different walks of life. It exposes them to critical thinking and strengthens their understanding of what it is to be South African. In addition, the festival allows established artists to inspire and mentor the next generation of leaders in each community that the festival is hosted in.”

 

The Sasol Schools Festival aims to provide learners with an unforgettable taste of arts and encourages a love for theatres, galleries and libraries in the future. In 2010, Sasol was awarded with the BASA Chairman’s Premiere Award for Excellence for the sustainable long term commitment to the sponsorship and dedication to the development of art.

 

ENDS