Update from Artist Residency in Ufafa - Children!

Tuesday, 3 August 2010 - A rare treat
We are seven days into our residency programme that we are facilitating at Woza Moya with children and their guardians from the community in the valley below. Stories and storytelling play an important role in the programme. While the children have been exploring with our adapted version of the Where the Wild Things Are, the Guardians have shared traditional stories, some stories from their childhood, and some newly created ones.
On this sunny afternoon before our workshop, a group of young children gathered around me on the grass. The rolling hills of Ufafa behind us speckled with turquoise mud huts. The older children had not yet arrived. While we waited, I asked them to teach me some of their favourite songs, which they eagerly did. We have been teaching songs to the children all week and so this small group quite enjoyed the role reversal. Awande, with his sweet little voice and all of 8, was leading the group, closing his eyes every time he hit the high notes. I wasn’t sure what I was singing but it had something to do with a boat (isikebhe) - the song we ended up using in the opening performance of the Where the Wild Things Are.

We were into our third song singing at the top of our voices, when a little girl no older than five jumped up stopped the song and decided to share a story (ingwane kwane) with the group. Her story was only two sentences long but I was taken aback by this unexpected treat. This caught on. As soon as she was finished Awande jumped up to tell another. He was full of stories about monkeys and told them one after another for the group. One such story was about monkey and the banana." One day monkey was grooming his friend,” he told us." There was a banana beside them but monkey did not see it. Then he did and then he peeled it and ate it. The end.” The stories kept coming. Each story more exciting than the previous. There was the story of a monkey who was shot by men and eaten by dogs and the story of Monkey and Rabbit. They were simple and short but they just kept coming and he told them with such confidence and charisma that we were all very engaged. "Once there was house" he began another story. " But I wont tell you any more because I have too many stories" he said sitting down. It was a really special moment and wonderful beginning to an afternoon filled with song, play and creativity.

Thursday, 4 August 2010 - Family day

I have had the most wonderful day. Today, the children and guardians came together to share their stories and the creative things they have put together during the residency. We started the afternoon off with some songs. The children picked their favourite and we sang Zum Gali Gali as we mimed digging and then picking our apples. Then, I led an energetic warm-up followed by some games. The children were so surprised to see their guardians (many of them gogos, or grandchildren) joining in. One little girl told me she didn’t know the gogos could jump.

After a few games and plenty of laughter, we gathered on the step at Woza Moya with the hills of Ufafa as our backdrop. First the guardians shared their scenes, which had many of us roaring with laughter when in one scene Zandile won the lotto. This was followed by two Gogos sharing ingwane gwanes with the group. Then it was time for the Where the Wild Things Are. The children gave a spectacular performance of the work they had spent the past three days creating. My favourite part of the whole day however was when all the guardians, community care workers and children gathered in a circle singing enyame, enyame (meat, meat) at the end of the Wild Things. Children were taking turns to dance solo in the middle. Each showing off their skills at traditional Zulu dancing. I must say they were very good. Even I had a go which the gogo's thought was quite amusing and soon the Gogos began bringing out there dance moves and we were all singing and dancing and laughing.

The moment that truly made my week however was when Zukwisa, a young girl about ten years old entered the circle and danced. All week she had been extremely reserved often not participating in exercises. Over the days I became concerned and would try enchorage her to join in. It wasn’t until the that moment after the show that she really felt confidant. The next day she was all smiles when she arrived and greeted me by name when she arrived which she had never done.

Friday, 5 August 2010 - Departing

Working with the children of Chibini at Woza Moya has been amazing. Leaving was not easy after having spent so much time with these children. The children have captured my heart. I will so miss Siyabolela who never stops giggling and his very important role as the plate of food in the last scene of the Wild Things. He would laugh all the way through the scene as Yenziwe, playing Mandisa ate him. I will also remember how we would always get confused when playing a game and how he would hide behind the door because he was shy. I will miss Awande and his beautiful voice and how he closed his eyes every time he sang and the day he told stories outside on the grass with the rolling hills of Ufafa speckled with mud huts in the background. And his role as the spoon. A role he was very proud of and loved performing though I think he also kind of wanted to be the radio because he loves to sing so much.
And Pinkie though quiet and reserved was an amazing storyteller with an incredible stage presence. And Mpendulo who would bring me my name tag every day. And the list goes on. Each child with its own special quirks.

On the last day we gathered into our groups to reflect on the two-week programme. The children had plenty to say about their favourite parts and what they had learnt. We also discussed how their lives at home had been and many said they had a enjoyed spending more time with their Gogos and especially enjoyed the stories some of their guardians had began telling them. After some reflection Awanda stood up to say something. He wanted to share something very important and commanded everyone’s attention. "Nadia" he began " I just want to say thank you for the time you have spent with us and for the story of Mandisa and the Wild Things. I am very sad you are going and will miss you. I love you and will miss you." I was very moved by how open the young boy was and how he expressed himself in front of the rest. Saying goodbye was difficult but I told them I would forever cherish the time I spent with them.
- Nadia Maria Caldeira

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