The Minister of Arts and Culture, Mr Paul Mashatile, launched a groundbreaking playwriting project at Wits University, Johannesburg, on Tuesday, 25 January 2011. The project is a collaborative initiative between the Department of Arts and Culture (DAC), Wits Theatre, the British Council and Sustained Theatre (from the United Kingdom).
The objective of the programme is to equip a new generation of South African playwrights with skills that will enable them to develop work that resonates with the challenges of the world around them. In his speech, Minister Mashatile asserted that through the programme, “we hope to discover new talent and open doors for many aspiring playwrights.”
A total of 20 writers were selected to take part in the programme. The programme commenced with workshops at Wits Theatre and Arts Cape in Cape Town. The workshops are led by seasoned South African and United Kingdom playwrights who share their knowledge and skills with the budding playwrights. The participants are expected to write plays that will be professionally produced with a view to touring the productions both in South Africa and in the UK.
The 10 applicants who were successful for the Johannesburg training are:
- Molefe Lebone
- Napo Masheane
- Omphile Molusi
- Ntando Gerald Moyo
- Sandi Mtati
- Brandon Oelofse
- Robyn Porteous
- Nakedi Ribane
- Hanneke Schutte
- Renos Spaoudes
The 10 applicants successful for the Cape Town training are:
- Suzy Bell
- Julian De Wette
- Siki Dlanga
- Rozanne Engel
- Genna Gardini
- Wendy Goddard
- Tasha Melissa Govender
- Tristan Jacobs
- Chantal Snyman
- Mfundo Zono
These workshops are part of the skills development drive that Minister Paul Mashatile is implementing in the Arts and Crafts Sector.
For further information kindly call:
Percy Mthimkhulu
Cell: 082 379 1913
Siphiwo Mahala
Cell: 082 545 2389
