Drama’s community outreach project teaches ‘Ubuntu’ in Drakensburg

Theatre in Education class of 2019 in Drakensburg.  

The Drama and Production Studies Theatre in Education class of 2019 visited the Drakensburg for three days as part of the National Research Foundation project titled, The Unfoldment of Ubuntu through indigenous values based education.


Project leader Dr Sury Rajah, Drama lecturers Lee-Ann Naicker and Dr Pamela Tancsik along with 27 students and tour guide Zweli Hlongwane travelled to Drakensburg to host a series of plays that reinforce the values and principles of Ubuntu. The students performed five plays to an estimated 257 primary school children.

Dr Tancsik explained: “My students were inspired by Mr Hlongwane and his knowledge of medicinal plants, ancient history of San and Koisan people in the Drakensburg where most of my students had not been to during a talk I had hosted for my students in April, I then decided on storytelling based on Ubuntu and its related values such as respect, collaboration, sharing and kindness in Drakensburg.”
The entire indigenous performance by the DUT students which also served as an exam assessment had the primary school children aged between 5-8 and their families as well, singing and joining in the fun over an evening braai meal. They also embarked on mountain hiking and studying medicinal plants.

The project began in 2017 and the then Theatre in Education students performed for three primary schools in KwaMadlala. Last year, 50 students performed a values based puppet show with the title ‘The circle of life’ at a crèche in Waterloo.

Dr Tancsik emphasised the importance of teaching or familiarising values of Ubuntu and compassion to children from a young age so they can grow to become more responsible citizens.
She said “Our society seems to have lost the spirit of Ubuntu and its value as crime is everywhere nowadays, only if children are learning from a very early age the right values like honesty, respect, responsibility and cooperation, they will be able to become a responsible citizen later.”

This project not only engages interaction between the students and lecturer for academic assessments just outside the classroom but it also makes the teaching and learning process a bit easier regarding the understanding between students. “There is more effective learning through a personal sensual experience which can never be the same in a classroom. The fact that we are together for 24 hours sharing everything including physical and visual experiences is unique,” added Dr Tancsik.   

-MNCEDISI JIYANE 

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