Wandile Mloyi
A Bulawayo-based arts group,ย Sunduza Dance Theatreย is embarking on an awareness campaign targeting school children in Bulawayoย educating them on the dangers of abusing drugs while also sensitising them on other health related issues regarding male circumcision and prevention ofย HIV and Aids.
Sunduza Dance Theatre director Charlie Mahlaba, said through art they had madeย strides in creating awareness against drug abuse and substance among the youths adding thatย they have also visited several schools in Bulawayo.
โWe have visited several schools and participated in awareness campaigns. Our mandate is to go to every school in Bulawayo and educate students about health matters that include male circumcision, HIV and Aids.ย We have also conducted anti-drug campaigns at those schools which we have visited,โ said Mahlaba.
โhe adds: “We have managed to reach schools such as St Bernard’s Primary and High school, Pumula High Nkulumane High, Magwegwe High, and Emakhandeni Secondary”.
The group has also toured countries such as the UK, Canada, Switzerland, Ireland and South Africa doing music theatre dance productions.
โWe are also planning to revive our old productions that presented our culture and history like Adventures of Robert Moffat adapted from the diaries of Robert Moffat from National Archives of Zimbabwe and many more, โsaid Mahlaba.
As they have stepped into their third generation as a dance group, Mahlaba said they will keep their vision alive and their productions will continue to be based on their historical grounds.
Sunduza dance theatre was founded in 1985 byย the late multi-talented Simon Mahlaba Banda, who was a great arts mentor, producer, singer and performer.