Stepping way out of my comfort zone, I embarked on a research project exploring the psychosocial outcomes of a theatrical performance, USimphiwe, on young people and their community.
Written and co-directed by my exceptionally talented nephew, Bruce Blaine, USimphiwe is a story of a young African boy who grows up to liberate his identity through dance. He is discovered in his rural village dancing to rap music and is offered a bursary at a leading private school where he learns ballet. Despite being a brilliant dancer, he is unhappy. He is forced to dance ballet and is never allowed to divert from it. A friendship he strikes with another learner, who is a musician, gives him the confidence to dance to traditional African song and music, allowing him to reveal his true identity. This tells the story of prejudice, microaggression and decolonisation.
The findings demonstrated how the production of USimphiwe, helped develop understanding, kinship, autonomy, meaning and accountability (fundamental facets of the African ethic of ukama), which positively contributed to their personal and social development as well as addressing social issues and movement towards social change.