15.9.2011 15:54
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Theatre empowers local communities

Savanna Trust is a non-profit making organisation that uses theatre to involve communities in various socio-political and economic issues. Director of the trust, Daniel Maphosa, believes that a people’s theatre enables locals to engage with issues that relate to their every day lives.
Scene from <em>On the 7th Day</em>, written by Leonard Matsa, Elton Mjanana and Silvanos Mudzvova, directed by Elton Mjanana and produced by Daniel Maposa of Savanna Trust.” /><figcaption>Scene from <em>On the 7th Day</em>, written by Leonard Matsa, Elton Mjanana and Silvanos Mudzvova, directed by Elton Mjanana and produced by Daniel Maposa of Savanna Trust.</figcaption></figure> <p>“Community theatre is simply theatre that is produced by the people, for the people. It is a theatre that speaks to the common man in his/ her own language in order to deal with issues that directly relate to that particular community’s experience.</p> <p>“Savanna Trust does not focus primarily on entertainment, but on topics that impact the lives of those living in local communities. We want to awaken the latent capacity of the people to take part, to make their own decisions and to organize themselves for common action. The people are mobilised to play a real and meaningful part in everything affecting their existence. Community theatre works towards changing society for the better and encouraging the solidarity of the people through their shared experiences and interchanges. It is therefore a democratic medium that practices democratic principles to people’s engagement and their development.”</p> <p>XHEAD – Power to the people</p> <div id='tzb016' class='tzbAdvert'> <script type='text/javascript'> googletag.cmd.push(function() { googletag.display('tzb016'); }); </script> </div> <p>The relationship between community theatre and societal development is a clear one, according to Maphosa. Community theatre targets those who are marginalised by society and enables them to participate in their own emancipation. It places the power in the hands of the people and allows them to participate in the development of their own community.</p> <p>“For there to be true development, there should be participation of the common people in identifying, designing, deciding and implementing the type of developmental model that works for them.”</p> <p>“Every human being yearns for a society that is just, a society that offers him/her an opportunity to be a full human being. It is such a society where human rights are respected. That society can be defined as democratic. When a society is full of oppression and does not respect or advance people’s fundamental rights, theatre cannot be silent.”</p> <p>Working around this theme, Savanna Trust has, over the past four years, been focusing on the area of peace building. Their main aim has been to raise awareness for human rights and mobilise people to participate in democratic processes.</p> <p>“It is our strongest belief that people should play an active role in the promotion and protection of their human rights and defining the society that they want to see, hence most of our programmes have been focused on building people power.</p> <p>“We have also since 2008 been implementing community peace building initiatives</p> <p>in six districts in Zimbabwe. Our focus in this has been building relationships among</p> <p>people and community members as the key drivers to sustainable peace. We have</p> <p>therefore been mobilizing communities to be active in the promotion and preservation</p> <p>of peace for the sake of their communities and the future generations.”</p> <p>XHEAD – Climate change issues</p> <p>Savanna Trust also focuses on environmental issues, with climate change being one of their core issues.</p> <p>“There is a lot of damage to the environment and to the local communities by new ‘investors’ particularly involved in mining. They are not only a threat to the environment, but to the economic well-being of the local communities. It is important that people are mobilised to deal with the nefarious and diabolic activities of these new miners who are not respecting the environment and the local people. They are impoverishing the people more.”</p> <p>The Protest Arts International Festival and the Jahunda Community Arts Festival held annually in Gwanda were platforms where Savanna Trust could engage with the people.</p> <p>In the future, Savanna Trust has plans for new programmes that will reach more of the country’s population.</p> <p>“We will continue to churn out programmes that put people at the centre. For those who have not experienced the power and democratic experience of community theatre for development, our mission is to ensure that it reaches to the core of our communities.” <strong>– An interview with Editor of The Stage Francis Rwodzi</strong></p> Post published in: <a class=Entertainment

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