EKURHULENI TO HOST MASTERCLASS FOR ARTISTS, POETRY AND STORYTELLING FESTIVAL AND WORKSHOP LIBRARIANS

The City of Ekurhuleni is delighted to host the legendary and internationally acclaimed, Dr. Gcina Mhlophe to conduct masterclass for artists; storytelling and writing for librarians; and poetry and storytelling festival for previously disadvantaged children.

The programmes are part of the annual, Ekurhuleni Youth Month Celebration which is commemorated in June. This year’s programme is supported by Ekurhuleni Public Employment Programme EPEP, an initiative of the National Treasury and Presidential Employment Stimulus. The EPEP currently employs more than 115 youth and adults in the region.

Media is invited to the activities scheduled as follows:

• Masterclass for the Artists/Performers: Friday, 06 May 2022 @ Dumisani Masilela Theatre, 09h30 -12h30 
• Storytelling and Writing for the Ekurhuleni Region Librarians: Friday, 06 May 2022 @ Boksburg Civic Centre, 12h30 – 15h30
• Poetry and Storytelling Festival for the children/learners mainly from previously disadvantage communities in the region of Ekurhuleni featuring Tu Nokwe: Saturday, 07 May 2022 @ Dumisani Masilela Theatre 10h00 – 15h00    

The Poetry and Storytelling Masterclass will be focusing on the performance techniques, preparation and rhythm, while the workshop for the librarians will focus more on storytelling and story reading techniques for pre-school learners using various digital platforms and making storytelling more entertaining for the young audiences. 

On the last day of Dr. Gcina Mhlophe’s visit to our region she will be collaborating with another veteran and world-renowned singer and actress Tu Nokwe with half of the cast from Ekurhuleni Young-Stars Outreach Programme. Tu Nokwe is also part of the mentorship programme for EPEP. The Poetry and Storytelling Festival on Saturday, 07 May 2022 will be a feast of fun and edutainment spectacle for the children/learners and invited audiences.

The city is transporting more than 300 children/learners mainly form informal settlements around the city. The children/learners will get an opportunity to experience what happens on the project Nozincwadi Tour (The mother of books) which is a project that Mhlophe has been running for more than 20 years locally and internationally. The day will also have Dr. Gcina Mhlophe reading stories, performing poetical proses and at the end doing some live musical performance along Tu Nokwe and children form from Ekurhuleni Young-Stars Outreach Programme.

For queries and RSVP’s contact:

Masterclass: Friday, 06 May 2022 @ Dumisani Masilela Theatre, 09h30 – 12h30. 

Queries: Ivy.Matsobane@ekurhuleni.gov.za 

Storytelling and Writing Workshop Ekurhuleni Region Librarians: Friday, 06 May 2022 @ Boksburg Civic Centre, 12h30 – 15h30 Queries and RSVP: Ria.Botha@ekurhuleni.gov.za

Poetry and Storytelling Festival featuring Tu Nokwe: Saturday, 07 May 2022 @ Dumisani Masilela Theatre 10h00 – 15h00. RSVP: mpumi.ekurhuleni@gmail.com   

For all programmes queries contact:

Lungile Msiya, Manager Libraries Information Services Ekurhuleni East Region: Lungile.Msiya@ekurhuleni.gov.za or  Pascar Dube, Manager Performing Arts and Interim General Manager Dumisani Masilela Theatre   Pascar.Dube@ekurhuleni.gov.za