WeeklySA_AdminTeach: The academy has established a co-operative which teaches sewing, beadwork and pottery for unemployed women…
By Siyabonga Kamnqa
THE name Cefane Arts Academy might not ring a bell to many, but this pioneering rural-based arts academy is set to dazzle international stages and fly South Africa’s flag high.
There were big smiles at the Cefane Arts Academy in Ngcobo in the Eastern Cape this week during a send-off prayer for the learners who are set to represent the Eastern Cape in the National Championships for Baswa Lee Meetsi on October 3 this year. The academy will also be representing South Africa for the Coding and Robotics World International Championships next week on September 30.
This followed the academy coming out tops during the provincial drama and music categories sponsored by the Department of Water and Sanitation. They also triumphed at the national championships on Coding and Robotics.
The arts Academy principal, Lwazi Mditshwa, could not contain his excitement: “I am very proud of these learners. They have put our school on the world map. Indeed this achievement is going to provide a platform for our learners to jet past being rural talent and waltz onto the world stage. For me what it also shows is that learners from rural communities are also capable of achieving great things just like their urban counterparts.
‘’ We are imparting entrepreneurial skills to these learners. As part of our community outreach project, we have established a co-operative through which it has been able to teach numerous skills such as sewing, beadwork and pottery to unemployed women from the community.
‘’I am proud to announce that the sewing shop has begun supplying the school and neighbouring hospitals with uniforms and other much-needed items. What we also pride ourselves on as the academy is that all the prize money we receive is shared among the school and the parents. For instance, if we win R50 000, half of it goes to the school and the other half to the parents.”
Mditshwa added that the academy’s excellence so far was proof that arts can indeed help to build stronger communities, promote creativity and foster self expression.
A local parent, Nolubalalo Magadla, heaped praises on the educators at the Cefane Arts Academy, and said she saw great excellence spark in her granddaughter, Hlomla Maginxa. “I feel very proud and happy to see the fruits of the tremendous work that is being done by teachers at the academy. Today tears of joy filled my eyes when I saw my grandchild delivering such an amazing drama performance together with other learners.”
She urged other parents to consider enrolling their children at art academies. “Some learners are gifted in art and producing things using their hands. But we, as parents, sometimes do not realise that. But I am now hopeful that one day my grandchild is going to put food on the table through arts.”
An elated Hlomla said while she was nervous at first when she came to the academy, she was now enjoying the time of her life. “My dream is to grow into this industry and hopefully become a household name in the arts space one day. I am grateful for all the support I get from my grandmother. She comes and watches my drama performances and is my biggest fan.”
School Governing Body (SGB) member, Mkhumbuzo Mgxaji, attributed the academy’s success to hard work and dedication from the staff and learners. “We give kudos to our principal who is a very hands-on leader. He is one principal who always involves parents in everything and we always give him our full support. Our only challenge is the financial constraints because the learners travel a lot to other provinces. But we are hoping that this national and international exposure is going to open many doors for the academy.”
