The Phakama project is the product of the British Council's work in "Theatre for Development." The Phakama approach uses each participant's experience and imagination as the starting point for using the creative process to explore issues and ideas.
During the initial phase, the representatives were trained in democratic facilitation processes, and they were given the opportunity to help organise and stage a massive community performance involving over 60 people
They were given the task to:
- prepare stage two of the project and launch Phakama in Botswana,
- develop a Gaborone, Phakama group, and
- prepare for the final stage, namely stage three, of the project where participants from five other countries will come together in Gaborone.
Each participant was tasked with producing a brief report together with a full evaluation report on phase one by the end of February 2003. Participants continuing into phase two were further tasked with establishing in-country groups with whom they were required to run country-based Phakama projects.
Brief details on country-based activities:
- South Africa: Organised and completed projects in Khayelitsha (Western Cape), Cala (Eastern Cape), Daveyton (Gauteng) and Rustenberg (North West). In Cala a 2-day training session was held with 3 young local facilitators, focussing on sharing Morija experiences and supporting young Cala facilitators in planning the week's work. On day two they were joined by 20 young people from the village, the result of which was an outdoor performance on a freezing night that featured rap, amazing body percussion songs and moving drama scenes. Khayelitsha also involved a 2-day training programme for young Phakama facilitators who then led a 5-day process with 40 young people. The performance took place at 'Ekhulweniseni' a place of safety for children. Through design, poetry, song and drama, the home's disturbingly barren rooms, corridors and garden were transformed into a warm promenade performance. The performance was attended by the community and people from the British Council's UKUZA conference at Spier in Stellenbosch earlier this year.
- Britain: Worked with a group of young refugees and unaccompanied asylum seekers based in London. With the theme of the Child I Curry in mind, the group developed their ideas to evolve a promenade performance using the bedrooms, corridors, gardens and halls of the National children's Home in Islington. Through theatre, music, poetry, dance, circus, fire and visual arts the young people told their stories to an audience composed by social workers, policy makers, teachers, community workers and most importantly to other young refugees living in London (and young Londoners). Their performers also carried with them the stories and memories of other young people who for reasons of circumstance could not be with them because of the dispersal policy of the Home Office. Each night there was a provoking and moving after show discussion led by writer Biyi Bandele. Post the performance of Strange Familiars / The Child I Curry, 3 facilitators and 3 young people represented the refugee participants (who cannot travel) at an EU gathering in Poland addressing the question: 'Can art act as a catalyst for social inclusion and facilitate a shared cultural learning'.Plans are under way to start a Trainee Program aimed at enabling participants to become facilitators in the next phase.
- Botswana: Established a group consisting of young people from Gaborone and Ramotswa in March 2003 who have been meeting on weekly basis. A training and development workshop took place from the 15th to the 17th August, for young facilitators (25 people from different areas, national and cultural groups attended this intensive workshop run by Warren Nebe from Phakama Botswana and Yvonne Banning from Phakama SA. The workshop focused on affirming the existing skill basis and helped develop a conceptual framework of Phakama for Botswana, as well as setting organisational deadlines working toward April 2004. The workshop reinvigorated those already involved and inspired those new to the concept. It is now aims to start Phakama groups in Ramotswa, Jwaneng and Ghanzi. Phase 3 is to take place in Botswana in April 2004 for the Maitisong Festival.
- Lesotho: Regular Saturday weekly meetings have been taking place in Morija, still attended by the original group of 60 young people. Various activities are under way.
- Mauritius: Have completed their performance. Their report is still outstanding.
- Namibia: Worked for with young people from the College Of Arts, Arts for Differently Able People, Street kids and the Change of Lifestyle Safehouse for a period of two weeks. This place COLS accommodates trial juveniles and their mission is to intervene at a very early stage when a child comes into conflict with the law in order to help them not to become part of the criminal system. The performance took place on the 16th and 17th June.
- Mozambique: Are currently working on their project, which is in its early stages. Country based groups are meeting regularly to take skills and training forward and continue to reflect and develop the ideas explored in the project and are currently engaged in local fundraising initiatives following which they will soon commence their selection processes for the Botswana residency in April 2004 to which country based British Council offices are each supporting the participation of two facilitators and four participants.
Development Issues
Youth
The project organisers say the project aims to change young people's lives. "Phakama, has initiated what so many people in education have sought to do for years. It has managed to develop method of teaching, training and empowering young people to become responsible, well-informed and creative citizens of the world."
British Council in Botswana
Bronwen Jones sent an e-mail to The Soul Beat Africa on February 11, 2004