The festival started on September 21 and ended on Wednesday last week.
The purpose of the festival was to give young artists an opportunity to showcase their talent. About 48 groups performed at the event.
The Tembisa Happiness Youth Group topped the groups that participated. They walked away with R5 000 in cash and a trophy for their efforts.
The groups competed in different categories, which included drama, poetry, music and dance.
The second place winners walked away with R1 500 in cash and the third-placed team walked away with R350. Eight judges chose the winners of the competition.
The festival was made possible thanks to the National Art Council of South Africa (NACSA), the Gauteng Organisation of Community Arts and Culture Centres (GOMACC) and Albany bread. It was organised by Simphiwe Doshana, the founder of the Zero to Hero Theatre Production based at Enxiweni section in Tembisa. Doshana (24) said the main aim was to uplift the standard of art in Tembisa and also to celebrate Heritage Day.
“We want to develop art in Tembisa to a professional stage and the youth should spend more of their time rehearsing in order to prevent themselves from engaging in crime, drugs, abuse and teenage pregnancy. This is going to be an annual festival,” he said.
During the event, the groups were served with free breakfast, lunch and super. Doshana thanked everyone who helped make the festival a success.
The Chairperson of Happiness Youth Group, Junior Keetse, said he chose acting because it is the best way to deliver a message to the community. It can also change people’s lives.
“I am extremely excited for my group to have won an overall prize, especially because of discipline. It makes me proud and encourages me to never stop working hard. In our group, we believe in each otherand our aim is to not disappoint one another. I also believe that we are still going far with our talent,” he said.
