Councillor SV Shabalala, first lady of the district, accompanied by Nana Mahlaba from the Department of Health, Busisiwe Mthabela and Mpume Masinga from the uThukela Gender Office, recently visited the Art Creation Youth Development in Ezakheni.
The Art Creation Youth Development is assisting in developing youth through performance arts which uses creative arts to train, educate, empower youth and help them to develop life skills. It focuses on art and craft, albinism, gender-based violence and disability.
One of its main objectives is to create a platform for effective personal development and highly display the importance of introducing arts in the community. The programme also gives young people a platform to express their talent and potential, and channel their creativity towards constructive and productive social activities.
It does not interfere with school hours as it is implemented after school since this is the time when many young people are vulnerable to negative lifestyles, influences and behaviours. Founded by Thabani Hlatshwayo from Ezakheni, the organisation offers opportunities to young emerging artists from marginalised communities to be educated and formally trained in the arts.
“I am passionate about arts and a supporter of young people who show an appetite for development,” said Hlatshwayo. He emphasised the importance of implementing arts in education to help learners to balance school work with personal life.
Cllr Shabalala was impressed with the talent shown by the young people of Ezakheni and said they are giving hope. “Believe in yourself and your vision, everything always works out. Sometimes even better than you imagined. We will continue supporting you as our young people and the future of this country,” she said.
A laptop and printer were donated to the organisation as a token of appreciation. The audience was delighted by the performers who portrayed different elements of arts on stage that reflected on issues relating to families, communities and society. Some products and productions reflected on substance abuse and gender-based violence.
