Drama groups from across the Cape Winelands took part in the finale of the Cape Winelands Drama Festival on Saturday 19 November at the Maranatha Christian Centre in Johnson Park.
The event was hosted by the Department of Cultural Affairs and Sport (DCAS) in partnership with the Breede Valley Municipality.
Six groups from areas including Stellenbosch and Wellington took part in the finale and the audience, mesmerised by the display of young talent, was taken on an emotional roller coaster ride. From unanswered family questions to intense love triangles, the performances had onlookers crying and laughing along with the characters.
The winners at the end of the evening were African Calling from Nkqubela in Robertson, whose production, about the death of a mother and the questions surrounding the event, won the hearts of the judges.
Project coordinator, Moeniel Jacobs, is very proud of the festival. “Today we saw the result of true hard work and passion for the arts.
These youths showed their dedication by taking in all the skills given to them and using them to uplift their productions and themselves. This was evident in the huge changes these groups presented from the productions they did three months ago,” he said.
The winning group and the runner-up will compete again next year during the Suidooster Festival where they will take on the winners of the Eden and Overberg drama festivals. The Eden finale will take place on 26 November 2017 in Knysna.
Councillor Julian Kritzinger, Breede Valley Municipality’s Mayoral Committee Member for Local Economic Development, Tourism, Arts and Culture, said that “Breede Valley presents drama festivals to identify and develop the arts in our communities. Communities should support these festivals that invest in local talent. Let us continue to develop the arts.”
