Drama highlights human trafficking (14-12-06)

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JOHANNESBURG – Human trafficking is still common among some sectors of the exiled community living in South Africa.

The cast

Complementing frantic efforts by the International Organization for Migration (IOM), who are fighting to curb human trafficking in some parts of Zimbabwe, South Africa and Mozambique is a new theatrical production.

The play, entitled Khuluma Afrika and produced by IOM’s Southern Africa Counter Trafficking Programme (SACTAP), together with Community Media for Development, was showcased recently at Spata Cafe in central Johannesburg.

Tuca & Elisa
Khuluma Afrika tells the story of two Mozambican sisters, who come to South Africa for a better life, only to find themselves separated and exploited. In a country where they have noone to turn to, the sisters keep their hopes alive by writing letters that express their hardships, and hope that one day they will find each other and return home. Though one lives at a brothel and the other at a mine hostel, the trafficked sisters’ lives seem almost parallel.

Elisa

“The show aims to presents the serious issue of human trafficking in a lively and engaging way,” says Deborah Walter, Director of Community Media for Development.

“Mozambican migrants rarely have access to information in their own languages, and by using entertainment, we hope to give a very human face to the issue of human trafficking and women’s rights.”

IOM estimates that at least 1,000 women and children are trafficked into South Africa from Mozambique each year, with poverty a huge factor in their susceptibility to promises made by traffickers. Once in South Africa, trafficked Mozambican women may find themselves working in Johannesburg ‘s sex industry or sold in mining areas to migrant mineworkers as “wives” and forced to act as domestic servants and sex slaves without remuneration.

Good times Sur & Rogerio fighting
The Portuguese-language play will tour Gauteng ‘s mining areas and community venues in Johannesburg , as well as key transit points for Mozambican migrants in South Africa throughout December.

Although trafficking is a clandestine practice, IOM research has revealed that community members – such as sex workers in mining areas – are aware of it taking place, and it is hoped that the play will encourage whistle blowers to report suspected cases through the IOM national toll-free helpline number: 0800 555 999.

The play has been developed with Mozambican youth drama group Alertos Da Vida, who have created an energetic production combining music, dance and drama. The storyline was workshopped with the Mozambican cast to refine and develop authentic dialogue. In addition to the main production, there are also a series of comedy skits, which address life in the mines, being far from home, and migration.

“We want to help people know about this problem, and encourage people to call the helpline if they think someone has been trafficked” said Tuca Massingue, Alertos Da Vida group coordinator and actor, explaining his involvement in the production.

The production aims to be fully participatory with post-production discussions giving audience members the chance to raise questions about trafficking and the help and assistance offered by IOM. IOM information materials in Portuguese will also be distributed to audience members. – CAJ News