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Mbulelo Mpofu, Showbiz Reporter 

SCORES of O and A-Level students have been attending performance-based workshops that are being conducted by the local talent factory, Centre for Talent Development (CTD) at the Bulawayo Theatre.

The workshops, which started on Tuesday, ends today. It featured plays such as William Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet, Raisedon Baya’s Super Patriots, and George Mujajati’s The Rain of my Blood among other books.

On Tuesday, the theatre was fully packed as plays were presented live on stage. Festivities of the day included IsiNdebele literature stage plays from the books Wangithembisa Lami, Chitha Ngowakho and Impi.

CTD’s director Thabani Moyo said the idea of the workshops centres on learners getting an understanding of their set books.

“Our aim is to make literature come alive on stage so that learners can experience the stories. This means that scholars will better understand the stories they would have watched here. We pride ourselves in creating the next generation of stars as young people were on stage as well,” Moyo said.

Acters in one of IsiNdebele place at the Bulawayo Theatre

On stage was a mixture of talented students and professional actors who included Gift Chakuvinga, Liberty Ndaba, Hlosokuhle Mhlanga, Bridget Sayers, and Philani Moyo.

Liesel Masuku, a student from Bulawayo Methodist High School relished the chance to perform.

“I’m so excited to be part of this. Reciting my poem Imfe le in front of other age mates was awesome. I think CTD should take this initiative forward. Let it not be a once-off thing but a continuation,” she said.

A teacher from Wanezi High School only identified as O Ncube said the festival exceeded their expectations, adding that they are looking forward to more of such.

“The festival exceeded what I expected. It was both informative and educative yet, at the same time, kept students entertained and hooked. You could think the actors were there when the books were written because they delivered the goods on stage. Those who attended benefited from the stage plays and I think this will go a long way in equipping our students with the necessary skill set to analyse novels and plays,” Ncube said.

Another A-level student from Wanezi High School, Tanaka Tore said watching IsiNdebele plays simplified his understanding of the language and its literature.

“I was fascinated with IsiNdebele plays because they simplified scenarios and what’s a better way of understanding than watching it live? Ukuzwisisa uhlelo lolimi kunzima kodwa ngemidlalo le, kwenze kwaba lula. 

“I’m looking forward to more of these in future and would like to urge fellow students, especially the class that is going to sit for November examinations, to attend,” said Tore.

The programme will end today with the staging of Raisedon Baya’s Super Patriots and Morons and George Mujajati’s The Rain of my Blood.

The festival is set to be taken to the whole of Matabeleland and Midlands provinces moving forward. – @eMKlass_49