Overberg Drama Showcase a First for the District

On Saturday 12 September 2015, the Western Cape Department of Cultural Affairs and Sport (DCAS) hosted the first Overberg Drama Festival Showcase in the Swellendam Town Hall. This was the first time the showcase took place in this region since the launch of the project in Cape Winelands and Eden.

The showcase with drama groups from the Overberg was made possible through the collaboration with the Swellendam municipality alongside a strong partnership with the Baxter Theatre's Zabalaza Festival.

The showcase was opened by Deputy Mayor Ryno Carelse from Swellendam Municipality, who provided some motivational words for the participants.

The four groups who participated in the showcase were: Net vir Pret (Barrydale), Bontebok Drama Group (Swellendam), Growing Up Siyakhula Youth Engagement Drama Group (Grabouw) and Swellendam Secondary Drama Group.

Events Coordinator Aashieqa Hardien says presenting the drama festival for the first time in this community showed the great potential of the youth and the community’s support for the arts was evident. “It is amazing to see the raw talent on display and to envisage how it will be enhanced once they receive further training to elevate their unique skills”, said Hardien.

The adjudicators felt that all the participating groups needed further development. They will be giving them the opportunity to showcase their productions at the Finale in November.

These productions will undergo further development at the Baxter Theatre’s Zabalaza Festival from 18–20 September 2015 at the Okkie Jooste Cultural Centre in Stellenbosch.  It will prepare them for their finale and for the overall winner’s journey to the Zabalaza Festival and Suidoosterfees in Cape Town.

DCAS presents these festivals in order to develop the arts in communities. Communities should support the festivals to grow local talent. Let us continue to develop and grow the arts BETTER TOGETHER.