In Nancefield, Musina, where the daily headlines are about Beitbridge border, trucks and the heat, a different kind of traffic is happening — 96 active members, extra 4 primary and 2 secondary schools.
Leading them is Sello John Maladzhi (49) a director of Mus’town Big Bangs Theatre. “I learnt acting from my mother who was a choir member and an actress. She used to go to rehearsals with me at the age of 9”, explains Maladzhi.
The 9- year old boy from Nancefield, who followed his mother to choir and drama rehearsals is now the father of theatre in South Africa’s northernmost town.
This is a town where young people face drugs, teenage pregnancy, dropping out of school and the false promises of border life, Mus’town Big Bangs Theatre offers discipline, teamwork and a reason to stay in school.
The six schools they involve are proof that theatre can be education.
In Musina, theatre is not just about acting. It is a school outreach program, a youth development project and a social intervention– all, in one, run without a cent of funding.
This is the reality of many groups in Vhembe District. While Limpopo Department of Sports, Arts and Culture has programs for theatre/ drama workshops, competitions and an Artist database registration, most activities are centralized in Thohoyandou.
The question now is not whether Musina has talent. Mus’town Big Bangs Theatre has shown it does.
The question is: When will Musina gets its own theatre?
If you want to support Mus’town Big Bangs Theatre contact Mr Sello John Maladzhi at 07…
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