Future Stars dancing their way to the future
They are known all over the province and they have been dancing their way to competitions and events even in some parts of the country.
They are known as Future Stars and they are under the guidance of Roger Ntuli.
The Future Stars Theatre Project was established in 2008, with the mission to reduce the high rate of teenage pregnancy and drug abuse amongst the youth in their community. The organiser of the project, Ntuli, has been trained at South African National Council on Alcohol & Drug Dependence (Sanca) help centre as peer educator and has been working as a volunteer for the past five years. He saw the need to keep young people out of the streets by keeping them busy, as he was aware of the fact that eMalahleni was regarded as the drug capital of Mpumalanga, as it has the second highest incidence of substance abuse amongst the youth in South Africa.
When he started the project, he only indicated that by word of mouth amongst the youth that he was interested in starting the project. The response was great from youths of ages from 5 years to 16 years who showed interest. With time the group steadily grew and their popularity increased.
The group specialises in contemporary dance, drama, stage plays, poetry, traditional music and traditional dance.
Initially the group started with two youth members and the number grew quickly to 22. The group has also started with a new dance style called 1976 ‘Umzabalazo’.
With their achievements the group is clearly growing in popularity and even at performances outside eMalahleni, they are able to compete with the best. They even took part in the SABC 1 Jika Majika Dance Show 2012 and the SABC 1 Stumbo Stomp Promotion Dance competition.
“Our main objective is to create a sustainable employment for the youth of eMalahleni through industry interaction, promote youth development and transformation, to become a gateway for artists to launch themselves into performing and visual arts,” reads a statement from the group.
The group aims to help upcoming artist develop their craft and to develop a marketing concept for business and to create a working environment for all creative individuals.
The group had many events in the past, among them is the Love Life Arts and Culture Festival in 2010, TUT Arts and Culture Festival held in May 2011, Siyavutha Festival in 2012, Crime Stop Festival in 2013, Emalahleni Dance Festival in 2013, Just festival also in 2013 and the Carnival Dance Festival in December 16 last year held at the King George Park. They have been awarded with 24 trophies and 24 certificates.
Hello i am sorry to bother you the thing is that i want to do a ritual ceremony, but i dont know the poem of maphanga can i get help from anyone of maphanga family who knows the family!