Nathi Project

Bangikhaya Poni, the Prep Drama teacher began a community Drama project involving children at primary schools in Franschhoek. Funding was received from Totalgaz and the children performed at a number of school and Barnyard events.

Keeping the children together and motivated proved to be difficult and transport to and from Bridge House became a problem. However, Mr Poni invited the Groendal High School children to join the project. He wrote to the school and set up auditions in Groendal. Twenty one dancers, singers and actors came to the auditions. Fourteen of these children remain involved at this stage and most of them come from farms in and around Franschhoek. Working with older children has alleviated some of the problems which arose with the Primary school children.

The first goal of this new group was to prepare an item for the College Artcore. They succeeded in presenting an excellent 'playlet' and a dance with only 4 reahearsal sessions. Mr Poni would like to thank ex-Bridge House Drama teacher, Lizinda Deysel and Julie van Wyk, who teaches at Groendal and who has a wonderful influence on the children for their help and support. We look forward to future productions from this group.