DRAMA for Life and the AIDS Healthcare Foundation brought together 250 enthusiastic Grade 11 and 12 learners from around KwaZulu-Natal to the Greyville Racecourse Convention Centre to participate in the KZN regional event of the National Schools Festival in Durban.
The highlight of this year’s festival was the presentation of the Lover+Another National Poetry Challenge. The Festival coincided with many activities highlighting the prevention of AIDS and HIV-related issues which have taken place in February, a month predominantly recognised as the 'Month of Love.'
The lively slam-poetry contest saw 15 schools vying for top spot which Kingsway High School's Sithembile Zungu won for her poem titled ‘I am the result.’
The two-day festival saw professional poets performing, interactive poetry workshops where the Slam participants were selected to take part in the challenge which focused on themes of sexual health, HIV/AIDS and sexual orientation.
“This is the seventh year that Drama For Life has performed and hosted the Slam Poetry Challenge at the festival. It is one of nine provincial events operating around the country under the umbrella of the National School Festivals of the Arts and its activities,” explained Moses Rasekele – Drama For Life Project Manager. “It provides the learners – from the most rural schools to the wealthiest urban areas – with an opportunity to explore various sensitive issues and hopefully adopt a love for the arts and culture in South Africa.”
A number of artists, including actors, directors, writers and poets – were involved in the performances and workshops, while teachers co-ordinated and guided learners’ activities, attended workshops with the senior pupils and returned to their schools with methods adapted from the workshops.
“An event such as this is so important in our ongoing mission to educate the youth of our country about relationships, sexuality and HIV/AIDS,” says AHF’s regional policy and advocacy manager for Southern Africa, Larissa Klazinga. “The platform – where the learners can speak out and share thoughts freely through poetry as peers, rather than being spoken for or dictated to – can make such an impact. It’s exciting that this competition and public dialogue creates such a vibrant, engaging space for young people to talk about their health.”
“AHF is honoured to be able to partner with Drama For Life – and the other stakeholders at this year’s KZN event of the National Schools Festival. This poetry slam is one of many initiatives that AHF is supporting, in line with our ongoing campaign in the fight against HIV and AIDS and to get young people talking,” says Klazinga.
“AHF’s aim is to have 20 million people around the world on treatment by 2020 and to reduce new infections, particularly among youth.”
