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Using drama to halt crime

Victor Mecoamere

Victor Mecoamere

The most effective way to achieve the right relations with any living thing is to look for the best in it - and then help it to its fullest expression.

In line with this profound truth from the philosopher J Allen Boone, taken from his book Kinship With All Life, several popular theatre and television performers are to stage vibrant productions during the annual Stop Crime Drama Festival in Mafikeng, North West.

The performers, Kere Nyawo, Xoli Naorman, Tina Mnumzana, Monde Mayephu, Thulani Didi, Dieketseng Mnisi, Mzokes Thwane and Ntshieng Mokgoro, have already begun interacting with novices at theatre development workshops on several projects - which will run until March 20.

Mokgoro, Mnisi and Mnumzana are working in and around Mmabatho; Thwane is based in Taung; Didi in Zeerust; Mayephu in Schweizer-Reinecke; Norman in Klerksdorp and Nyawo in Ventersdorp.

Conceived by thespians Martin Koboekae and Julian Seleke Mokoto's Dramatists Against Crime, the festival, on March 29 and 30, is sponsored by Absa, Sowetan and the North West sports, arts and culture department.

It features productions with strong anti-crime themes, that have been written, directed and performed by young people to highlight the futility of crime.

Other related events include:

lOpen theatre workshops at the Mmabana Cultural Centre in Mmabatho on March 27;

lThe official launch of the 2008 Stop Crime Drama Festival on March 28;

lA Stop Crime Drama Festival anti-crime march, led by the Mafikeng SAPS brass band, on March 29; and

lPerformances for honours by 18 amateur drama groups at the Mmabana Centre on March 29 and 30.

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