TSHITEREKE – Approximately 600 youths from seven villages in the Vhembe District joined hands in the war against drug abuse, HIV/Aids, women and child abuse and crime.

They converged at Tshitereke Primary School, near Donald Fraser Hospital, on Saturday, where they staged a drama festival with the sole aim of developing the youth into future responsible leaders. Youths groups that took part include Nzhelavhalimi Community Theatre, Muningamuhwe Drama Club, Mashau Thondoni, Tanganani, Dzingahe Drama Club, Gondeni Drama As-sociation and Tshino Drama Club.

Rudzani Tshianane of Nzhelavhalimi Community Theatre, which hosted the festival, told Mirror why the festival was important: “Although our youths are engaging themselves in other recreational fields like sports and debate, we realized that there is still much to be done to improve their skills in the theatre industry. Apart from keeping them off the streets, some of them might take acting as a career which will enable them to survive in future. There are no prizes to be won but the youths volunteered to give their services because they know they will benefit at a later stage. This festival also aims at educating the youth about the dangers of drug abuse, crime, woman and child abuse and the importance of education – as reflected in the themes of the dramas they performed.”

Although all the groups did their best to entertain guests, it was Tshino Drama Club and Gondeni Drama Association who stole the show. Tshino Drama Club took the stage by storm when they performed their drama titled Ndifelani? (Why must I die?). The drama is about a father who chased his teenage daughter out of the house upon learning that she was HIV positive. After some advice from close family members, the father accepted his daughter back and he gave her distinctive care, love and support.

Gondeni Drama Association thrilled everyone when they performed their drama, Child Abuse. An irresponsible father repeatedly rapes his daughter but it did not take long before he faced the full wrath of the law. The daughter had no one to turn to and she ended up hanging herself.