I was fortunate to be among the packed audience at the Empangeni Civic Centre last Friday evening to witness a most amazing local production: ‘Death of the Emperor Shaka’.
It was written, produced and performed entirely by local residents – most of them young and all but two unemployed.
Knowing this was an amateur production, with an unpaid volunteer cast and put together on a shoestring budget, and with rehearsals held as and when they could get together, expectations were minimal.
Add to that the borrowed sound, lighting and props and one did not dare hope for much more than a bit of light entertainment.
To the contrary, we had our socks blown off!
This was not just ‘good’ theatre – it was brilliant, well worthy of any stage in the country.
Having previously attended Mbongeni Ngema’s astounding performances around King Shaka and the Zulu nation, this was no less absorbing and perhaps even more entertaining in terms of the audience buy-in and enthusiasm.
Their talent is unmistakable and immense.
All of which brings me to the point of this article, which I address to those who control budgets that go towards paying for public entertainment – often under the guise of ‘tourism’.
As a member of the city’s tourism organisation and one who has attended countless council and exco meetings over the years, I have witnessed millions of rands collectively being given to events that add little value or long-term benefit to local arts and culture.
Strangely, much of this funds profit-making events…with the profits subsequently leaving the area in the pockets of visiting promoters.
Frivolous events that are little more than DJ ‘raves’ – centred around crude music and alcohol consumption – get loads of financial support, again in the name of ‘tourism’.
This acting troupe is a far more worthy cause, one that needs solid funding to take it from amateur to professional status.
Local government must pledge support, while corporates should hire immensely talented locals such as these, rather than import entertainment from elsewhere for year-end and other staff functions.
Questions must also be asked about that beautiful arts centre in Richards Bay that cost millions and has never opened its doors, although it has been repainted a few times between being built and falling down (a drama in itself).
What a superb venue for a theatrical society and a place to groom and develop the abundance of local talent and boost the performing arts.
Let’s put our money where their talented mouths are.
