Production company visit centres
THE department of correctional services (DCS) in the Amathole management area started the build-up to their annual Operation Vala last week with a theatre tour of all their centre facilities by Hoza History Heritage Tourism and Productions.
DCS communication head Sivuyisiwe Matanga said they were approached by Jongi Hoza, the founder of Hoza History Heritage Tourism and Productions, who wanted to present a play as part of their social responsibility programme.
“We as a department immediately approved his request as it came at a time when we were about to start with Operation Vala which commenced on Monday and runs through to January 12 at all our centres. So it was an added advantage of more entertainment to our usual programme of activities,” Matanga said.
According to Matanga, Operation Vala is a year-end programme implemented where offenders at all centres participate in a variety of indoor recreational games and fun activities such as drafts, indoor soccer, chess, volleyball, plays, music and stokes.
Hoza said: “We communicated with DCS and informed them that we would like to embark on a tour to bring a theatrical production to the department.”
According to Hoza, the production, entitled Uhambo, is a 60-minute thought-provoking theatre piece which reflects on the South African struggle for liberation.
“The story is told through music, dance and drama and packed with historical facts and humour,” he explained.
Offenders and staff members of King, Stutterheim, Middledrift, Fort Beaufort and Grahamstown attentively watched the play and enjoyed every moment.
When asked how she could best describe the play, an elated Matanga responded that she will watch it over and over again.
“The story line is good, it talks about history and things I also did not know about,” Matanga said.
“It’s very beneficial to high schools, especially to pupils doing history. They would pass with flying colours if they can see the play and the offenders have enjoyed every moment of watching it.
“It’s beautifully narrated, with lots of fun scenes and the group really is creative and good on stage.”
Hoza told the GO! his company was founded this year and their mission is to advance, encourage and promote the following four pillars: history, heritage, tourism and productions.
