On Saturday, 8 August 2015, the Western Cape Department of Cultural Affairs and Sport (DCAS) hosted the Cape Winelands Drama Festival Showcase at the Happy Valley Community Hall. It was the second leg of a number of adjudication showcases scheduled to take place across the province.
Drama groups from Zolani, Robertson, Nqubela and Bonnievale all participated. The showcase was made possible through the collaboration of the Langeberg Municipality and the Cape Winelands District Municipality alongside a strong partnership with the Baxter Theatre's Zabalaza Festival.
The day was opened by Mr Peter Salman from the Langeberg Municipality who acknowledged the presence of visiting Councillors from the Cape Winelands District. The Master of Ceremonies was Ms Sheline Bothma, a young lady that was selected during the past festival to study at the University of Stellenbosch as a prize for her amazing work. She was accompanied by one of the youth of Nqubela to ensure the crowds were well informed and entertained for the duration.
This year has seen the most entries to the Cape Winelands Festival yet. 23 groups have registered to be part of the great opportunities presented. The groups gave their all to the audience. The adjudicators from the Baxter Theatre selected three winning productions for the next level of development and to perform in the finale.
“This year has seen an incredible growth in not only an interest in the festival but the quality of the productions, which is in line with the department’s objective of developing professional productions in rural communities. The hospitality of community in Bonnievale showed their appreciation to the participants for the amazing effort they put in to showcase their talents”, says Moeniel Jacobs from DCAS.
The finalists were Khoisan Drama group (Robertson), Curtain Call African Spear (Nqubela) and the hometown heroes Vangnet Drama Group (Bonnievale). These productions will be subjected to further development by the Baxter Theatre’s Zabalaza Festival section to prepare them for their finale as well as for the overall winner’s journey to the Zabalaza Festival in Cape Town.
DCAS presents these festivals in order to develop the arts in communities. Communities should support these festivals to grow local talent. Let us continue to develop and grow the arts BETTER TOGETHER
Tania Colyn
Head of Communication Service
Department of Cultural Affairs and Sport
Tel: 021 483 9877
E-mail: tania.colyn@westerncape.gov.za