Youth group addresses social problems
Tembisa-based youth group, Kopano Youth Upgrading, gave a splendid performance at the Moses Molelekwa Arts Centre on Thursday last week.
They performed a drama called Seqhaka, which means bullying. The drama focuses on pupils who are bullying others at school and the ill-discipline in schools across the country.
It was written by Kopano Thajani, who is also the director. Lucky “Professor” Kgafela is assisting Thajani to direct the story.
In an entertaining, but emotional performance, actors showcased how pupils insult teachers inside and outside the classroom. In the play, pupils tell teachers that they are armed with the constitution and have the right to either attend or skip classes. After the play, pupils said they are also worried about what is happening in the country.
“The situation in schools at the moment is pathetic. I understand that pupils have rights, but we have to be responsible. It is wrong to disobey teachers, but I blame the government for giving us rights without asking us about those rights. Now they want children as young as 12 to engage in relationships. What is that?” asked one of the female actors.
After the performance, Kgafela says they are trying to fight against moral decay through the drama.
“As parents and community leaders, it is our duty to teach our children about Ubuntu and to create conditions that are conducive for children to be responsible adults in the future,” he said.
Thajani said there is a lot of rape and bullying in schools, and said, “We believe we are going to bring a positive message to the society through the drama.”
