Youth in Dialogue - Nelson Mandela Foundation
Youth in Dialogue - Nelson Mandela Foundation
Youth in Dialogue - Nelson Mandela Foundation
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Us<strong>in</strong>g Arts to Mobilise<br />
Communities<br />
Interview with Hecate Productions<br />
Khululeka (Be Free)<br />
is based on the<br />
real-life stories<br />
of people who have<br />
lived with HIV/AIDS.<br />
The play is hard-hitt<strong>in</strong>g<br />
yet humorous, weav<strong>in</strong>g<br />
<strong>in</strong> the contemporary<br />
rhythms of life <strong>in</strong> South<br />
Africa while attack<strong>in</strong>g<br />
common myths and misconceptions<br />
about the<br />
pandemic. It is produced<br />
by theatre company Viva<br />
Hecate, and was staged<br />
at all n<strong>in</strong>e of the prov<strong>in</strong>cial<br />
dialogues, kick<strong>in</strong>g<br />
off the discussion<br />
at each.<br />
Richard Frank spoke to<br />
actors Daniel de Lange, Bathabile<br />
Mashego and Ronny<br />
Maputa, and producer Yvonne<br />
Kershaw, one of several Hecate<br />
teams perform<strong>in</strong>g around the<br />
country.<br />
Richard<br />
Where does this play come<br />
from<br />
Daniel<br />
It was written by an actor<br />
called David James. He <strong>in</strong>terviewed<br />
people who are HIVpositive<br />
and created these<br />
sketches, and then wove it all<br />
together.<br />
Richard<br />
So they’re true stories<br />
Hecate Productions perform<strong>in</strong>g <strong>in</strong> the <strong>Youth</strong> Community <strong>Dialogue</strong>s.<br />
Yvonne<br />
They’re based on stories of<br />
people liv<strong>in</strong>g <strong>in</strong> South Africa<br />
who are HIV-positive.<br />
Richard<br />
Bathabile, is this your first<br />
HIV/AIDS play<br />
Bathabile<br />
This was the second time play<strong>in</strong>g<br />
an HIV-positive person. The<br />
first time was on a soap opera.<br />
Richard<br />
Do you ever get looked at differently<br />
because you play <strong>in</strong> an<br />
HIV-positive role<br />
Bathabile<br />
I hear that it happens, but it<br />
hasn’t happened to me. There<br />
was just this one time <strong>in</strong> Durban<br />
where after the show<br />
people came to us and gave us<br />
hugs, [say<strong>in</strong>g], “Oh, you’re so<br />
brave.” And you can’t exactly<br />
say, “no, no, but”, because then<br />
it defeats the purpose, and also<br />
it breaks the stigma, so if people<br />
th<strong>in</strong>k that, then it’s okay.<br />
Daniel<br />
What we say to them is, we’re<br />
not HIV-positive, but if we<br />
were, we would look exactly<br />
like this. If we’re manag<strong>in</strong>g<br />
the disease we could still look<br />
healthy and handsome!<br />
Richard<br />
And Daniel, what have you<br />
been <strong>in</strong>volved with<br />
Daniel<br />
I’ve done a lot of direct<strong>in</strong>g for<br />
educational theatre and for<br />
<strong>in</strong>dustrial and corporate<br />
theatre, and have been work<strong>in</strong>g<br />
for this company Viva<br />
Hecate for three years now, so<br />
I’ve been with this play from<br />
when it started.<br />
This play has been<br />
YOUTH IN DIALOGUE 55