Pupils celebrate South Tyneside-South Africa link
LETS DANCE ... pupils from St Josephs RC Primary School learn new steps during a visit from Duka Dance Company.
A CULTURAL link between youngsters in South Tyneside and South Africa was celebrated during a week of language, dance and music workshops.
The Duka Dance Company visited primary schools that feed into St Joseph’s Catholic Academy, in Hebburn, as part of the St Joseph’s-Sitiyweni School Partnership.
The long-standing relationship between the two schools has already provided opportunities for staff and students from each country to visit each other’s schools and share projects, with the next trip planned for next year.
The link started in 2002, when Connie Yabantu, who was a refugee from the Apartheid system in South Africa, and Jill McManus, a teacher from St Joseph’s, worked on an anti-racism project at St Joseph’s.
The schools are miles apart in both distance and identity, as St Joseph’s is in a modern, urban setting, while Sitiyweni Combined School is high in the hills of the Eastern Transvaal at the foot of the Drakensburg Mountains.
However, they are bound by many social, spiritual and cultural bonds and the link serves as both an educative and enriching experience at St Joseph’s.
Rob Hope, enrichment leader at the school, in Mill Lane, said: “This is a well-established partnership that offers benefits for all stakeholders.
“Staff and students learn so much about different cultures which helps them appreciate the diversity of the modern world.
“The personal development of our students is accelerated as they develop important transferable skills which employers and university admission tutors value highly.
“Involvement in initiatives such as this have such a positive influence on their future academic and career pathways.” The Duka Dance Company is a joint venture between young dancers and entertainers from South Africa and the UK, who travel between the two countries delivering interactive workshops based on the culture of both countries.
The Duka Dance Company visited primary schools that feed into St Joseph’s Catholic Academy, in Hebburn, as part of the St Joseph’s-Sitiyweni School Partnership.
The long-standing relationship between the two schools has already provided opportunities for staff and students from each country to visit each other’s schools and share projects, with the next trip planned for next year.
The link started in 2002, when Connie Yabantu, who was a refugee from the Apartheid system in South Africa, and Jill McManus, a teacher from St Joseph’s, worked on an anti-racism project at St Joseph’s.
The schools are miles apart in both distance and identity, as St Joseph’s is in a modern, urban setting, while Sitiyweni Combined School is high in the hills of the Eastern Transvaal at the foot of the Drakensburg Mountains.
However, they are bound by many social, spiritual and cultural bonds and the link serves as both an educative and enriching experience at St Joseph’s.
Rob Hope, enrichment leader at the school, in Mill Lane, said: “This is a well-established partnership that offers benefits for all stakeholders.
“Staff and students learn so much about different cultures which helps them appreciate the diversity of the modern world.
“The personal development of our students is accelerated as they develop important transferable skills which employers and university admission tutors value highly.
“Involvement in initiatives such as this have such a positive influence on their future academic and career pathways.” The Duka Dance Company is a joint venture between young dancers and entertainers from South Africa and the UK, who travel between the two countries delivering interactive workshops based on the culture of both countries.
Dundee College dancers with their colleagues form South Africa. From left, back – Michaela Wate, Mojalefa Koyana and Marion Cronin; front – Wandiswa Gogela, Crissy Reed-Richards and Joel Wilson.
Release date: 29/10/2013
Having successfully performed at the internationally-renowned National Arts Fringe Festival in Grahamstown, South Africa, earlier this year, a group of dancers at The Space, Dundee College, are about to perform in Aberdeen.
Michaela Wate (22), originally from Newcastle, Dundonian Joel Wilson (25), Marion Cronin (30), of County Dublin, and Crissy Reed-Richards (20), of Tyne and Wear, all of whom are studying contemporary dance at Dundee College, are joined by Mojalefa Koyana and Wandiswa Gogela, two performers they hooked up with in the Eastern Cape.
The National Arts Festival is a big event on the South African cultural calendar and served as an important forum for political and protest theatre during the apartheid era as it was free of censorship.
“Joel, Marion, Crissy and myself all met at Dundee College when we were studying for an HND and we have worked together on a number of occasions, both as part of our course and doing projects of our own,” explained the choreographer.
“Taking a production to the Eastern Cape was the biggest thing we had ever attempted but it was a fantastic challenge.
“During our six-week stay we did four performances at the arts festival, two others at community venues and even did one performance in a prison!”
The aim of the trip was to create a cultural exchange, gaining and giving new experiences and learning in this process about education through dance, and having taken part in a variety of dance workshops and working with people of all ages and backgrounds, Michaela feels this was achieved.
Now back at The Space, Michaela and her dancers are rehearsing for a performance at the Lemon Tree, Aberdeen, on Wednesday, Oct 30, with Mojalefa and Wandiswa joining the Dundee College students on stage both dancing and story-telling.
The South African duo arrived in Dundee on at the end of last month and have been impressed with what they have seen of Scotland.
“I like Scotland, it is very beautiful country and full of interest,” said Mojalefa.
“I will be incorporating some Scottish Culture in the stories I perform when I return home 0 mixing African culture with Scots.”
The duo head home at the beginning of next month and although she has enjoyed her stay Wandiswa is glad she won’t be here for winter.
“I have really enjoyed visiting Scotland but it’s cold,” laughed the South African.
“I’ve learned a lot since arriving here and will be using a lot of what I have learned in my work back home.”
For more on the dance group visit www.dukadance.weebly.com
Release date: 29/10/2013
Having successfully performed at the internationally-renowned National Arts Fringe Festival in Grahamstown, South Africa, earlier this year, a group of dancers at The Space, Dundee College, are about to perform in Aberdeen.
Michaela Wate (22), originally from Newcastle, Dundonian Joel Wilson (25), Marion Cronin (30), of County Dublin, and Crissy Reed-Richards (20), of Tyne and Wear, all of whom are studying contemporary dance at Dundee College, are joined by Mojalefa Koyana and Wandiswa Gogela, two performers they hooked up with in the Eastern Cape.
The National Arts Festival is a big event on the South African cultural calendar and served as an important forum for political and protest theatre during the apartheid era as it was free of censorship.
“Joel, Marion, Crissy and myself all met at Dundee College when we were studying for an HND and we have worked together on a number of occasions, both as part of our course and doing projects of our own,” explained the choreographer.
“Taking a production to the Eastern Cape was the biggest thing we had ever attempted but it was a fantastic challenge.
“During our six-week stay we did four performances at the arts festival, two others at community venues and even did one performance in a prison!”
The aim of the trip was to create a cultural exchange, gaining and giving new experiences and learning in this process about education through dance, and having taken part in a variety of dance workshops and working with people of all ages and backgrounds, Michaela feels this was achieved.
Now back at The Space, Michaela and her dancers are rehearsing for a performance at the Lemon Tree, Aberdeen, on Wednesday, Oct 30, with Mojalefa and Wandiswa joining the Dundee College students on stage both dancing and story-telling.
The South African duo arrived in Dundee on at the end of last month and have been impressed with what they have seen of Scotland.
“I like Scotland, it is very beautiful country and full of interest,” said Mojalefa.
“I will be incorporating some Scottish Culture in the stories I perform when I return home 0 mixing African culture with Scots.”
The duo head home at the beginning of next month and although she has enjoyed her stay Wandiswa is glad she won’t be here for winter.
“I have really enjoyed visiting Scotland but it’s cold,” laughed the South African.
“I’ve learned a lot since arriving here and will be using a lot of what I have learned in my work back home.”
For more on the dance group visit www.dukadance.weebly.com
Students’ South Africa Target
Aiming for South Africa from left – Marion Cronin, Crissy Reed-Richards, Michaela Wate and Joel Wilson
Release date: 14/02/2013
A group of dancers at The Space, Dundee College, are taking steps to raise £2400 to take part in what is billed as the biggest arts festival in Africa.
Representing England, Scotland and Ireland, a choreographer, the three dancers, and a story-teller who make up dance company, Duka, are aiming to take an original piece, entitled ‘Fabric’ to the National Arts Fringe Festival in Grahamstown, South Africa.
Directing and choreographing ‘Fabric’ is Michaela Wate (22), originally from Newcastle, with dancers, Dundonian Joel Wilson (25), Marion Cronin (30), of County Dublin, and Crissy Reed-Richards (20), of Tyne and Wear, all of whom are HND contemporary dance students at Dundee College.
The students are working with Mojalefa Koyana who is directing the South African arrangements for the Dundee College students and will act as ‘story teller’ when the company performs in Grahamstown.
Duka is Amharic (Ethiopian) for footprint and Michaela sees the combination of three dancers, a choreographer and a storyteller as “five toes of a footprint!”
“Joel, Marion, Crissy and myself all met at Dundee College where we are studying for an HND and we have worked together before, both as part of our course and doing projects of our own,” explains Michaela.
“Taking a production to the Eastern Cape is the biggest thing we have attempted so far but it’s a fantastic challenge and we are confident that we have the skills and experience to succeed.”
The National Arts Festival is a big event on the South African cultural calendar and served as an important forum for political and protest theatre during the apartheid era as it was free of censorship.
“Our aim is to create a cultural exchange, gaining and giving new experiences and learning in this process about education through dance,” explained the choreographer.
“The workshops we will be leading will be available for people of all ages in the areas where we are rehearsing in South Africa.
“They are not about us teaching dance but about swapping skills and encouraging more people to perform and share work.”
While the members of the company are committed to paying more than £2000 for their fares out of their own pocket and cover their own accommodation costs, Michaela has set up an internet account to help raise cash which includes a short film showing off their dance skills.
Anyone keen to see the Duka dance company in action can visitwww.kickstarter.com/projects/1072397103/fabric-by-duka-dancecompany?ref=home_location.
“The funds we raise will go towards production costs such as venue hire, technical requirements, resources and tools for teaching workshops, and travel while we are in South Africa.
“We didn’t think it was appropriate to ask people to support project unless we were prepared to pay our own way in terms of fares and accommodation.”
Clearly, not everyone who supports Duka will be able to attend the festival so the students will be making a short film of their work which they will post on line.
The dancers’ efforts have impressed staff at The Space.
“This is definitely a great initiative and the students have done a very professional job with the promotion show footage,” commented Lee Lappin, senior lecturer.
“The pro-active approach taken by the students is very impressive.”
Release date: 14/02/2013
A group of dancers at The Space, Dundee College, are taking steps to raise £2400 to take part in what is billed as the biggest arts festival in Africa.
Representing England, Scotland and Ireland, a choreographer, the three dancers, and a story-teller who make up dance company, Duka, are aiming to take an original piece, entitled ‘Fabric’ to the National Arts Fringe Festival in Grahamstown, South Africa.
Directing and choreographing ‘Fabric’ is Michaela Wate (22), originally from Newcastle, with dancers, Dundonian Joel Wilson (25), Marion Cronin (30), of County Dublin, and Crissy Reed-Richards (20), of Tyne and Wear, all of whom are HND contemporary dance students at Dundee College.
The students are working with Mojalefa Koyana who is directing the South African arrangements for the Dundee College students and will act as ‘story teller’ when the company performs in Grahamstown.
Duka is Amharic (Ethiopian) for footprint and Michaela sees the combination of three dancers, a choreographer and a storyteller as “five toes of a footprint!”
“Joel, Marion, Crissy and myself all met at Dundee College where we are studying for an HND and we have worked together before, both as part of our course and doing projects of our own,” explains Michaela.
“Taking a production to the Eastern Cape is the biggest thing we have attempted so far but it’s a fantastic challenge and we are confident that we have the skills and experience to succeed.”
The National Arts Festival is a big event on the South African cultural calendar and served as an important forum for political and protest theatre during the apartheid era as it was free of censorship.
“Our aim is to create a cultural exchange, gaining and giving new experiences and learning in this process about education through dance,” explained the choreographer.
“The workshops we will be leading will be available for people of all ages in the areas where we are rehearsing in South Africa.
“They are not about us teaching dance but about swapping skills and encouraging more people to perform and share work.”
While the members of the company are committed to paying more than £2000 for their fares out of their own pocket and cover their own accommodation costs, Michaela has set up an internet account to help raise cash which includes a short film showing off their dance skills.
Anyone keen to see the Duka dance company in action can visitwww.kickstarter.com/projects/1072397103/fabric-by-duka-dancecompany?ref=home_location.
“The funds we raise will go towards production costs such as venue hire, technical requirements, resources and tools for teaching workshops, and travel while we are in South Africa.
“We didn’t think it was appropriate to ask people to support project unless we were prepared to pay our own way in terms of fares and accommodation.”
Clearly, not everyone who supports Duka will be able to attend the festival so the students will be making a short film of their work which they will post on line.
The dancers’ efforts have impressed staff at The Space.
“This is definitely a great initiative and the students have done a very professional job with the promotion show footage,” commented Lee Lappin, senior lecturer.
“The pro-active approach taken by the students is very impressive.”