Patience Bambalele

Patience Bambalele

Passion D'Art, a group from Kensington High School, Johannesburg, cannot wait to represent South Africa at the British Council Power in the Voice competition in Botswana.

The yearly competition includes countries such as Zimbabwe, South Africa, Botswana, Mauritius, Mozambique, the UK and Zambia, and will take place in February next year.

The 13-member group won the Gauteng finals at Rand Park Girls High School last month.

The British Council Power in the Voice activities included schools competition as well as workshops encompassing women in hip-hop, break-dancing, creative writing and visual arts, graffiti, street fashion, science and art, sport and global citizenship.

UK poet and artist Zena Edwards held a creative writing workshop, sharing with the pupils her incredible ability to engage an audience.

Started last year, the event has contributed to building inter-cultural understanding and democratic development, and will continue to promote positive social change.

Shoba Ponnappa, the director of British Council Power in South Africa, said: "We hope to empower young people and extend our active networks of younger people who contribute to positive social change."

This is aimed at creating a platform for young people who are 15 years and older to celebrate and share their own creativity .

"The programme has enabled learners to gain a greater sense of who they are as individuals. Passion D'Art chose to address issues such as xenophobia, sexuality, self- image and self-esteem," said Zubz, artist and mentor for the group.