| Deep
in the remote countryside of the Eastern Cape the River
Tyhume winds beneath a village primary school set on
a green slope. The children here show great creativity
as performers. Soon they will have a real stage on which
to develop their talents, as a dream turns into reality.
The idea began in another village, Tynemouth on the north
east coast of England, home of Ozzie Riley and Elaine
Beard of Dodgy Clutch. Also living here is a veteran of
South Africa’s independence struggle, Archie Sibeko,
alias Zola and his wife Joyce Leeson. Now retired from
his work with the ANC, Zola is dedicated to improving
the prospects of the Tyhume Valley community where he
grew up.
He and Ozzie met whilst Dodgy Clutch were working with
northeast schools and community groups on performances
related to Elephant themes. Why not get involved in the
Tyhume Valley, too? Zola made the connections, and Dodgy
Clutch were able to inspire – and be inspired by
- the children at Gqumahashe school whilst on their South
African tours 2005-6.
Dodgy Clutch returned to Tyhume in 2007 together with Ryder,
a major UK architectural practice with its roots in Newcastle.
Their vision was to provide a permanent legacy of Elephant
in the form of an amphitheatre to be built in the school
grounds - a place for children to create performances
and develop their skills, a focus both for the community
and for audiences from a wider area who could bring financial
benefit.
Other
slideshows of Education and Community projects:
Winter
Wonderland, Kielder Forest
Advent at Alnwick
Sow, Grow, Cook & Eat!
Past Community Projects |
