Learners to shine at national stage
With months of preparations, these young performers are ready to make their mark.
Two learners from Lantern School are gearing up for an exciting opportunity as they prepare to showcase their talents at the famous Talent Africa competition.
Talent Africa is a highly competitive event that brings together talented individuals from across the country to compete in various categories such as dance, music, drama and visual arts. This year, the school will be proudly represented by Jessica Kaniki who will be participating in the acting (monologue x2), undramatised poetry and vocal solo categories alongside Shaun Makhense, who has entered for acting (monologue), dramatised poetry, vocal solo and hip-hop dance solo.
“These were some of the many items they entered in the RACA Eisteddfod. I recognised their talents and decided to enter them in the Talent Africa Regional Competition. They qualified for Nationals (thus getting Provincial Colours for Performing arts) for all their entries,” remarks Lantern School’s talent organiser Heloïse Zeedijk.
According to Heloïse, the preparation process for the competition has been challenging because learners use the school’s bus transport to get to and from school, therefore, making it difficult for them to stay behind after school, but they have been training since February 2024 and they practised before school, during breaks, and in off sessions during the exams.
“This competition opens up a whole new world for them. As learners with special education needs, they have to compete academically with mainstream learners. This allows them to be seen on a national stage (and maybe even internationally) by talent agents, producers, and people in the industry. It also gives them more choices regarding career opportunities. I also feel that it makes them well-balanced individuals and gives them the confidence to perform in front of audiences,” Heloïse says and elaborates on the academic and personal benefits that this competition will have on the learners.
Heloïse continues to highlight that this competition boosts the learners’ self-esteem as these learners could not cope in mainstream and have experienced failure academically and this is an opportunity to develop their talents and be successful.
“I hope that their success will inspire other young people with different abilities to chase their dreams and develop their talents with the support of the school,” she concludes.
