The JL Zwane Centre was once again the chosen venue for Broadway in South Africa's 2010 4 day workshop. I blogged about BSA last year when they visited the centre for the first time, working with 50 children who benefited from the very talented group from Broadway in NYC. This year they expanded their program to include 75 children from five townships around Cape Town. Many of the children were part of the program last year and were thrilled to be invited back to sing, dance, write, act and greet the friends they had made in 2009. They were mentored by nine members of BSA, five who had been here last year and were thrilled to have the opportunity to be with the children again. The children ranged in age from 7 to 14. Their big finale was on a Saturday when the parents, family members and friends could all congregate to watch the children perform. It was a wonderful performance full of laughter and energy! The JL Zwane Centre was honored to be chosen once again to be a part of Broadway in South Africa's tour and they hope to host them again in 2011.
If you have been reading my blog you might remember my posting introducing you to Mary Sili. In 2008 Mary started a soup kitchen for the school children in her neighborhood. Mary makes sandwiches and rolls and sells them for a nominal price to the children after school, trying to give them a healthy alternative to chips and candy. Christmas 2008 was a very sad and difficult time for Mary and her family. Her youngest son Nandile, had been killed in a car crash on Christmas morning. Mary was devastated by the loss of her son. Nandile had been helping Mary everyday with her soup kitchen. Mary was so saddened at the loss of Nandile that she did not have the heart to continue with the soup kitchen. She shut it down and went into a very sad state of being. When I returned in September of 2009 Mary kept saying that she still was not ready to start her soup kitchen but wanted me to be patient with her. (John and I had helped with the initial start up costs, refrigerator and supplies.) I think she felt she was letting us down. Christmas day brought many memories back to Mary and her family on the first anniversary of the death of Nandile. Instead of being sad, Mary decided that they should celebrate Nandile, she knew this is what he would have wanted, so they had a party. They brewed their own beer and invited all of Nandile's friends over to the house and they danced and partied celebrating the life of Nandile. The best part of this is that Mary realized that to honor Nandile she should reopen her soup kitchen and help the children in her neighborhood. One day last week I went to Mary's to see the soup kitchen in action and decided it was going to be a free day. You should have seen the look on their little faces as they realized they didn't have to pay for their treats. Word got out, they started coming in droves, we had a few try to get seconds but we recognized them and Mary would scold them in Xhosa. There were so many of them at times that they would push against the door making it quite chaotic. Somehow me talking to them in English that they needed to behave did nothing, but the moment Gogo Mary spoke they paid attention, quieted down and lined up quite orderly. It was a very fun and lively afternoon. Mary and I would just laugh as the children ran away smiling and giggling! Mary told me that many came the next day hoping I would be there to continue free day!
Photos:
1. Broadway in South Africa Members
2 and 3. BSA performers
4 and 5. Recipients of free day.
Bye for now...
