««Flowers

Fleurs de
of silence
silence »» :: un projet artistique
a multidisciplined pluridisciplinaire
artistic project

1 – A tragedy with expressive masks in the public space

„A couple researches the place where their lives toppled over...“

The prelude to the original creation of the piece “Flowers of silence” was the song by
Jacque Brel: “Les vieux” (The aged). Medea and Simion, two aged characters coming
from another world appear and give homage at the place where their child died. Si-
mion has been responsible for the death. In effect, for the couple, this homage is a
form of catharsis through the use of rituals in order for them to find peace again. At
the end of the ceremony the gods must decide whether Simion is culpable or not.

The piece is visual. The audience reconstruct the story by the elements given (princi-
pally through objects and the music, the latter even allowing for a ‚Flashback’, giving
the audience even more the means to dive deeper into the strange universe of this
Photo: Fest’arts, Libourne (France - 2010)
couple).

The rituals have been inspired by Greek mysteries as well as pagan ceremonies whe-
reby the audience is a spectator but also a participant at certain moments during the
piece.

Why a tragedy in the public space?

The piece is intimate and relooks at the family dilemmas of the Greek tragedies, where
love, death, jealousy and vengeance lie. During this however the nuances of the play
could well make the audience even laugh. Therefore the comic does indeed meet the
tragic.

The expressive masks also hereby permit to magnify a certain situation: a strange and
ancient world falling into our modern contemporary world.

2 – A residency of experimentation : discovery and diffusion.

During the Month of April 2011, Theatre Thump! and Mutariko Arts and Culture Pro-
ject began collaborating on the full character expressive mask street theatre piece
“Flowers of Silence”.

This piece is tragic and has been inspired by ancient mysteries as well different types
of pagan ceremonies.Mutariko provided live music for the performance in the form of
a chorus resembling somewhat a choir in a greek tragedy. The music was made from
Foto: Before the performance at Teleni Primary
african traditional music instruments namely but not limited to: Marimba, Kudu horns, School Lekazi KaNyamazane
and Mutumba (african drums)

This first phase was a phase of discovery (getting to know one another and one’s
ambitions) laying down the foundations for further work together. Actually great new
artistic ground was produced creating a stunning visual and musical treat within the
public space for all ages.

During 5 days we performed in rural schools performing in front of teachers and

scholars and local important cultural roleplayers, one performance notably at the Day
of the book 2011 in Ermelo organised by the National Library of South Africa and the
National Arts Council of South Africa.

This residency therefore entrenched the work pathway for the future and the modes
of cooperation which have enrichened the project, opening the curtains to a visual
streetheatre piece, mixing dance and music, designated to a large and wide audien-
ce.

After having performed sometimes in front of 600 spectators as well as having a very
good feedback from the spectators and the school children the collaboration decided
to continue to develop this piece. After an internal feedback session it was realized
however that more time was needed to develop all the potential of the piece.
1
however that more time was needed to develop all the potential of the piece.

3 – An artistic skills transfer project revolving around theatre

This first residency also involved rural schools artistic skills transfer. This was done
through acting workshops given by Théâtre Thump! thus equipping both learners and
teachers in the performing arts. Several workshops and performances were carried
out in Mbombela and Gert Sibande Municipalities. The workshops included basic ac-
ting techniques and the very importance of working together in an ensemble or with a
partner with a focus on the body as an acting tool. Theatre games were played as well
as improvisations. Skills transfer was not only concentrated on schools but also on the
performers of Mutariko by Theatre Thump!
Foto: Workshop Intercity College Whiteriver

« Flowers of silence » : a project of international cooperation and cultural development

1 – A transcending territorial, cultural and artistic project

Streetheatre is still an undiscovered dramatic territory in South Africa. In essence a

popular form of theatre in Europe, it therefore seems interesting to develop this in
South Africa whereby to perform outdoors permits us to access a larger public, a
public which habitually does not go to the ‘theatre’.

The artistic competences of Mutariko complete those of Théâtre Thump! whereby

a piece will be created where the contemporary meets the traditional with a cross-
breed of different artists and domains: music, dance and theatre. This thus gives birth
to an original streetheatre piece, an antique, afro-euro and contemporary tragedy.
However, all this for both South African as well as European audiences. Foto: Performance Intercity College Whiteriver
2011
2 – A skills transfer project through artistic formation

The Mutariko artists are ‘en route’ to professionalisation. They come from the
townships around Nelspruit.

Through the process of this creation they will have the chance to work with experimen-
tal artists and develop their potential: Tom Roos (Belguim) for theatre and Caroline
Fabre and Norbert Sènou for (France-Aquitaine) for dance.

3 – Transfer of skills via the international mobility of artists

“Flowers of silence” is a bridging - project combining artists from different disciplines

and different countries. From the province of Aquitaine in France to South Africa,
including Belguim and Germany, the project concerns itself with learning through an
exchange with others. Therefore the mobility of artists takes a central role within the
project process.

Théâtre Thump ! and Mutariko are young companies. This partnership is consequently
a means for them to explore and develop their respective universes.

This project is the occasion for the artists from Aquitaine and South Africa to work
within the context of an international artistic exchange but also to enlargen and affirm
their own domains and competences. Foto: Tenteleni Primary School Lekazi KaNyma-
zane

Therefore, the work with Tom Roos (Belgium), the Mutariko Artists will look to work
professionally whilst researching deeper into scenic presence and acting. They will
also work on the place of the tragic choir within the piece “Flowers of Silence”. Also
having the opportunity to perform numerous times in front of an audience will allow
them to obtain a more solid experience in the domain of theatre.

Additionally with intervention of the Bordeaux African dance company Fabre Sè-
nou, the Mutariko Artists will have the opportunity to reflect upon their own dance

2
practices and experiment with the fusion between the traditional and the contem-
porary. With these formidable means, the Mutariko artists can develop their own
dance universes and return to South Africa with new choreographic propositions.
This work will also enrich the show by introducing contemporary dance elements.

Finally Théâtre Thump! will benefit from dance and percussion workshops given
by the Mutariko artists. The Mutariko Arts and Culture project has already been the
Marimba champions of South Africa. Carole Deborde and Oliver Borowski will take
advantage of these workshops by integrating these south african dances in their
own acting. They will also recieve an initiation into basic percussion work in traditional
south african instruments

4 – A sustainable cultural project

The partnership with institutions permits the Mutariko arts and culture centre
to develop it’s competences in cultural management: project management, fun-
draising, networking and strategic partnerships, marketing and public relations.

This international project allows for Mutariko to further develop it’s own activities,
whilst at the same time developing new projects for the future, as well as becoming a
cultural leader in the region.
The competences gained by Mutariko through this project will be a springboard to
gain roots and perennialise as a sustainable arts and culture organisation.

5 – A Continous Artistic Educational Project

Théâtre Thump! will continue to do workshops in schools in the province of Mpumu-

langa and in the the townships near Nelspruit. The Mutariko artists will accompany
Théâtre Thump ! after which in the longterm they can continue the workshops them-
selves in schools and elsewhere.

6 – A value added project

An edited DVD as well as a professionally published project book will be at hand as

to document the glorious moments and different stages of the project. This shall be
sent to all the different partners, participants and schools so as to leave a trace and
to enable a solid networking.

3
 Finalités duofprojet
Finalisation « Fleurs
the project de silence
« Flowers of »silence
: une création métissée
» : a mixed creation

1 – The creation of a common piece of theatre by French and South African Ar-
tists

The artistic collaboration in April 2011 did indeed break new artistic ground. Théâtre
Thump! decided to replace their own original score with the music of Mutariko. Quickly
they realised that the artists of Mutariko were multi-disciplined in that they can play ins-
truments, sing and also dance. The ambition of the collaboration would be to even further
develop this tragic world of “Flowers of Silence” as well as to lengthen it to 45 minutes

For this reason it was decided to give them more place in the show by keeping them
not only as musical elements but rather as a symbolic chorus like in the antiquity.
This will be primarily the work of Tom Roos in so far that a real tragic chorus will be made more
present, as in to also act and to become a real character in the story. In the Greek tragedy Foto: Performance Intercity College Whiteriver
the scenes with the actors (Episodes) alternate with the scenes of the choir (Stasimon).

We would therefore like to keep this structure in developing the parts of the choir:
songs, dances, music in relation to the main action.
The chorus will work on physical timing, tragic stage presence, and their costumes.
The point of departure will be to dress the chorus in white peplos like garments and
make-up their faces white – the work of the designer Els Magherman.

The general idea is to research ways in which madness and sadness in a tribal sense
can be reached, establishing the atmosphere of tragedy and loss. Also the spiritual
world, the divine will be developed: the presence of the gods and their power. In addi-
tion the masks will bring metaphors of ancient beings and give the essence of ghosts.

2 – A theatre of languages

The songs are mostly of traditional South African origin.The choir will there-
fore use several languages when singing: French, English, Shangaan and Zulu.

3 – A popular theatre

The South Africa and Europe contexts provide wonderful oportunities for the pro-
ject “Flowers of Silence”to perform in. The show brings diverse audiences to-
gether as it is performed on the street, in the townships as well as in schools.
It is a form of popular theatre, told simply for all to understand. The message in the piece
is not a question of moral, but rather one of observation and reflection, without answers,
upon the human condition: who is culpable? Where is there place for destiny in our lives?

The piece is to be performed in the public space. Therefore it adapts itself to an

existing natural environment such as a soccer field or just simply a lawn. Such
elements as branches, stones, flowers or even statues are incorporated in the
play so that they transform into mystical objects. However objects such as animal
skins, skulls, hay bails, sand, wood, and rusted iron, are also introduced by the ac-
tors as ritual elements themselves giving a complete transformation to the space.

Also from the beginning even the musical instruments will not be present,
being introduced choreographically with the chorus as the piece develops gi-
ving time for the atmosphere to develop – a sort of prologue. The audience will
observe the Mutariko music, dance and song as the foundations are laid for
Medea and Simion (the masks) to enter the circle and give homage to their lo-
ved one, communicate to the gods, and only to end in the death of Simion.

4
dessin: Els Magherman - residency, january 2012, Nelspruit
Provisional Financial Partner s

SOUTH AFRICA

IFAS
South African Embassy France
Department of Arts and Culture South Africa
City of Nelspruit
Packard Bell
Crédit Suisse
Citroën

BELGIUM

Flemmish Embassy

FRANCE

FLOWERS OF
Conseil Régional d’Aquitaine
DRAC Aquitaine
Conseil Général de la Gironde
City of Bordeaux
Community of Lestiac France
German-French Funds

ALLEMAGNE

SILENCE
City of Munich
City of Frieburg
Goethe Institut

6
 Planning

Tom Roos for 10 days with Mutariko in Nelspruit.
JANUARY 2012
Objective: Lay the foundations for the new collaboration. Here
he will look to only work the tragic chorus and begin to elabo-
rate their costumes, dance and music.
Els Magherman will accompany him as costume and décor
adviser.

Théâtre Thump! and Tom Roos will return to Nelspruit from the
22nd February - 2nd March 2012 to work with Mutariko.

Objectives: to repeat as well as to collate the work of April

2011 and the work of Tom in January just prior.
22 FEBRUARY TO 2 MARCH 2012
This time the aim is to have more real creation/rehearsal /
research time together as an ensemble. More research again
will go into the music and costumes and the stage presence of
the choir. The show will look to have around 45 mins in length.

It is forseen to have a ‘work-in-progress’ showing on the 1st of

March 2012 at a school in Nelspruit whereby important role
players will be invited such as the Mayor of Nelspruit and the
Head of Departement of the Department of Arts and Culture in
Mpumulanga

From the 13th August till beginning September 2012 the
entire project, including Tom Roos, will come together again in
AUGUST 2012 Nelspruit.

Objective: to prepare for the South African premiere at the

‘Out of the Box’ festival in the Cape Town area and Townships
September 2012 as a part of the South African season in the
‘Cultural Seasons’ project between France and South Africa.

‘Flowers of Silence’ will look to perform at the following fes-

tivals as part of the ‘Cultural Seasons’ project in the South
African season:

- Out of the box Festival, Cape Town: 3-11 September 2012,

www.unimasouthafrica.org/out-the-box

- Arts Alive International Festival, Johannesburg: 1-25 Septem-

SEPTEMBER TO DECEMBER 2012 ber 2012, www.artsalive.co.za

- White Mountain Folk Festival, Estcourt: 23-26 September

2012

- Cultural Calabash Festival: Taung: 26-28 September 2012

- Aardklop National Arts Festival: 28 September – 2 October

2012, www.aardklop.co.za

7
 - Rocking the daisies Music Festival, Darling: 8-10 October
2012, www.rockingthedaisies.com

- Rocking the gardens Festival, Johannesburg: 9-10 October,

www.rockingthegardens.com

- Melville Poetry Festival, Melville: 14-15 October.

- Limpopo Music Festival, Polokwane: 26 November.

- Woodstock Riversands Farm Festival: 27-30 November, www.

DE SEPTEMBRE À DÉCEMBRE 2012 woodstock.co.za

- Mzansi Fela Festival, Pretoria: 1-11 December 2012, www.

statetheatre.co.za

Parallel to the performances in South Africa we look to per-

form in other African Festivals such as:

- Intwasa Arts Festival, KoBulawayo Zimbabwe: 20-24 Septem-

ber, www.intwasa.org.zw

- Moya International Music Festival, Beira Mozambique: 25

September- 19 October.

- Oruuano of Namibia Arts Festival, Windhoek Namibia: Septem-

ber – November.

- Morija Arts and Cultural Festival, Maseru Lesotho: 28- 31

October , www.morijafest.co.ls

- Kinani Dance Festival, Maputo Mozambique: 1-6 November,

www.kinanimoz.org

Objective: From the 5TH August 2013 preparation for the

European Tour and “Cultural Seasons’ project in the French
Season. In addition work together with Tom Roos again as well
as Caroline Fabre and NorbertSènou as choreographers so as
to more contemporise the dance aspect of the show.

‘Flowers of Silence’ will look to perform at the following festivals

as part of the ‘Cultural Seasons’ project in the French season:

JULY TO SEPTEMBER 2013 - MIMOS Festival, Perigeux

- Fest’arts, Libourne
- Aurillac, Aurrillac
- Musicalarue, Luxey
- Coupe Chauffe, Cognac
- Paris

Parallel to these, performances in the form of a residence

in Munich Germany are planned, supported by the City of
Munich.

Additional performances in Ghent in Belgium are planned.

8
Les artistes
TOM ROOS – Artistic director (Ghent, Belgium)
Clown, actor, storyteller, artistic director, facilitator, Tom
was born in Strand (South Africa) in 1954, grew up in
Belgium and studied Archeology and Anthropology at the
university of Ghent.
Tom threw himself into theatre, street theatre and clow-
ning as an autodidact and workshopped clowning with
Bolek Polivka (Czechia), Phillipe Gaulier(London), Said
Lassaad(Brussels).
In 1982 Tom founded the company ‘WurreWurre’,
with Philippe De Maertelaere and the dog ‘Boost’. ‘Wur-
reWurre’ is still fully engaged to enable folly and has de-
veloped a style where the absurd and the burlesque are
fused with surrealism and poetry in a clear and simple
visual language with a minimum of means and an over-
dose of humour. ‘WurreWurre’ has an international re-
putation and has travelled the world and the seven seas.
In 1998 they were honoured with the title «Cultural Ambassa-
dor of Flanders» and in the same year, performed in Bangkok
for the 72nd anniversary of king Bhummibol from Thailand,
as official representatives of the European Community.
Since 2000, Tom Roos, with the support of the Flemish
Community, has been working on a regular basis in Sowe-
to, with Ipelegeng Community Centre, in order to create
high quality theatre and street theatre performances
with township youngsters. Their performances; «Action»,
«Mupaku», «The Grass Turns Green», «Inyoni», and «The
Champions», have toured successfully all over Europe.
JUDITH MÄHLER - scenographer, mask and puppet ma-
ker (Berlin, Germany)
She is a gradutae from the Arts School Berlin-Weißensee.
She has been working as an independent artists since
2003 for different theatre productions. She also ani-
mates mask construction workshops. She designed
and constructed the masks for “Flowers of Silence”.
ELS MAGHERMAN - Visual artist, Designer ( Ghent, Bel-
gium)
Studied Free Graphics at St-Lucas Hogeschool in Ghent.
She started as a freelance artist and worked as graphic
designer, in theatre for WurreWurre company, De Steile
Want company, and Theatre Thump!.
She designed the décor for Patek (WurreWurre). After
having children she did not go for a full career but howe-
ver has kept on drawing and developing her own specific
style which can be indicated as surreal expressionism.
Meanwhile, sporadically she has done consulting in home
decoration, styling (film&TV), private corporations, etc.
In 2009 she studied a postgraduate graphic art diploma,
specialisation: the Human Body. Recently she decided
to start up her artistic career again, whereby live mural
drawing of nudes is the central theme.
COMPANY FABRE - SÉNOU
In 1998 Caroline Fabre and Norbert Sénou opened
“L’alternative”, a space for creation and education in
Bordeaux dedicated to international exchanges, nota-
bly between Benin and other western and central Afri-
can countries from where the company has developed
creative projects since 2004. They have contributed
to the professionalisation of dance in Benin thanks
to the support of the European Development Funds.
CAROLINE FABRE – Choreographer (Bordeaux, Fran-
ce)
Caroline is a founder, choreographer and performer for
the French-Beninoise dance company Fabre/Sènou. “...in
search of an identity reinvented between Africa and Europe, I
have developed a dance form which crosses the two cultures.”
At the same time she is an educator, whereby she tea-
ches African dances , in their essence, from their roots,
from the traditional to the contemporary.
In her teaching, movement is the main tool to explore the
space, to develop one’s own body consciousness, and to
appreciate music and one another. Movement is also a 9
tool to construct and create.

NORBERT SÈNOU – Chorégraphe (Bordeaux, France)
From teaching to creation, Norbert lifts barriers and has
created the first contemporary African dance company in
Aquitaine France.
With his approach he brings us into another dimension
of African dance: “My dance is a reflection of the epo-
che in which we live, cultures meeting, exchange and
enrichment, contact with one another, without losing
one’s identity...My teaching orientates itself towards
the cotemporary where the traditional finds it’s place.”
THÉÄTRE THUMP!
Théâtre Thump! was born in Berlin Germany in 2008 af-
ter Carole Deborde (France) & Oliver Borowski (South Afri-
ca/Germany) had completed two years of theatre school.
They decided to create the duo ‚Theatre Thump!’. The first
steps were in Berlin but in August 2009, the duo moved
to Bordeaux in France. Théâtre Thump!’s visual theatre is
one of simplicity which rests upon a slow work tempo, as
well as on human and artistic meetings. With the play of
masks or the clown they develop foolish, grotesque and
absurd worlds.
CAROLE DEBORDE - Actress Théâtre Thump! (Bordeaux-
France)
Carole Deborde has multiple trainings and experience in pe-
dagogy and acting. After six years of teaching she decided
to develop her true passion: theatre!
As a teacher she always integrated theatre into the lives of
her students. Through these projects, with scholars from dif-
ferent cultural backgrounds, she worked with different artists
and different cultural centres: Centre Aragon de Tremblay-
en-France, Parc de la Villette in Paris Centre. Hereby she dis-
covered an original way to make theatre with the use of diffe-
rent languages, energetic bodies, simplicity and truthfulness.
Parallel to this she did a formation with the clown Fred Blin
(Les chiches capons) at l’école du Samovar in Paris where
she discovered her love for clowning.
This is why she chose the professional Berliner school for
movement acting: Atelier Physisches Theater“(method Jac-
ques Lecoq) where she also performed numerous times for
the theatre company Absurda Comica.
She graduated from the school in 2008 and founded
together with Oliver Borowski the streatheatre company
Théâtre Thump!
Carole has always been interested in cultural exchange
whereby she animated french theatre workshops for Insti-
tut Français in Leipzig.
In Romania, with “Bazar collectif,” Carole organised a
multicultural arts exchange programme (Theatre, Photo-
graphy, Painting and Video – www.simonehaug.com) for
children and adolescents in the small transylvanian village
of Rogos.
In Azerbaijan she worked on a children’s refugee camp
where she developed various theatre projects. The body
as the object of narration is at the centre of her artistic
research which also includes clowning, mask work. Visual
theatre is an important element within this work.
OLIVER BOROWSKI - Actor Théâtre Thump! (Bordeaux,
France /Germany /South Africa)
Before coming to Bordeaux in 2009 the trained theatre
artist, culture manager and journalist arrived in Berlin in
May 2005 from South Africa having worked on a variety
of film, theatre and journalistic projects.
The passion for theatre eventually brought him to the ac-
ting school: “Atelier Physisches Theatre» in Berlin. Having
grown up in South Africa, influenced by many different
cultures, Oliver realised his passion for theatre and physi-
cal storytelling from a young age.
During his studies at Rhodes University in Grahamstown
South Africa from 1997 – 2000, he focussed on a wide
range of arts and had the chance to work on numerous
theatre productions. Later he co-founded the Theatre
company „Dog Day Afternoon Productions“, in Cape Town.
The company produced their own work and also gave
workshops for children. The company had success at the
National Arts Festival in Grahamstown with „Doing it on
centre stage“, a physical and multidimensional take on the
theatre industry itself.
After a year of travelling through Africa searching for
„oasis’ “ Oliver decided to return to Rhodes University in
2004 to study a postgraduate diploma in Journalism and
Media Studies.
In 2005 after completing his diploma Oliver decided to
gain experience in the visual and performance arts in
Berlin Germany. Since then he has worked on different
film and theatre projects in Europe and Africa and in April
2007 he also graduated from the Berliner Akademie für
Betriebswirtschaftliche Weiterbildung with a certificate in
Culture management.
In 2007 Oliver also managed the Germany Tour of the
Cape Town based theatre company ‘from the hip: Khu-
lamakahle’ with their integrated deaf and hearing clown
show: ‘Gumbo”. At present Oliver is working as a perfor-
mer in Bordeaux France, concentrating on physical visual
theatre projects, with a tragic and clownesque focus. 10
MUTARIKO ARTS AND CULURE PROJECT
The home of Mutariko is deep in the South African
lowveld, Nelspruit. The project is run by Godfrey Nyika
Dupwa and is an organisation that brings to life the Afri-
can ancient times’ way of life in the modern world throu-
gh indigenous African dances and music instruments.
Through music, dance, storytelling and poetry, the pro-
ject is working towards instilling African traditional va-
lues. Music of the past is brought to life by the modern
man and uses it to transmit cultural values and indige-
nous traditional beliefs. The project performed in 2009 in
Washington for the constitutional day celebrations, as well
as at the 40th Anniversary of Matola City in Mozambique.
GODFREY NYIKA DUPWA – Director of Mutariko Arts
and Culture Project (Nelspruit, South Africa)
Godfrey is an African music and dance specialist, a qualified
teacher, as well as a versatile self-upgraded business man
in the arts and culture field. Through ongoing education as
well as on the job experience Godfrey foresees a sustainable
future.
Godfrey is the founder and managing executive of Mutariko
Arts and Culture Project. Yet he is also a composer, writer,
dancer and musician. Prior to forming Mutariko, he has wor-
ked with many organisations to this day and has taken the
Mutariko ensemble to great heights by winning the National
Trophy at the 4th Annual Marimba Festival.
He has given many workshops to ensembles in his commu-
nity and to different organisation such as schools and bands
GEORGE BONGINKOSI MHLONGO - Percussionist, actor
(Nelspruit, South Africa)
George Bonginkosi Mhlongo stays in Pienaar just outside of
Nelspruit. He speaks Zulu, Swati and English. His carrier as
an actor and percussionist spans over fifteen years. He joi-
ned Mutariko in 2007 as a percussionist. He has grown in
leaps and bounds to become one of the best instrumentalist
and actor of Mutariko Arts and Culture Project.
THAMSANQA SIFISO HLATSHWAYO - Actor, Poet and
Educator (Nelspruit, South Africa)
Actor, Director, Poet, Activist, and community worker, in a
nut shell – an Arts Practitioner!
He is a founding member of Mpumalanga Performing Arts
Laboratory which is an NGO specialising in arts education.
He performed at the German woman’s Fifa World Cup, and
he has been profiled by Sesikhona for SABC TV.
He is also Project Manager at Arts exploration in Mpumu-
langa and is performing in provincial and national events and
shows. He has done a lot of work with HIV infected kids in
Khayelitsha (Cape Town). He has been also facilitating Cross
Provincial Workshops on theatre for community development
whilst being appointed for the Radio Drama Council which is
a member of Ligwala Gwala F.M. He is appointed adjudica-
tor for National Community centres Awards and has worked
for ESPN during the Mpumalanga Arts and Culture Festival
(macfest). He has attended national and international confe-
rences on Arts and heritage and took part in the formation
of the Creative Workers union of South Africa (CWUSA). He
is an initiater for the Theatre for Community Development
Festival in Mpumulanga.
NOKHUTULA PERTUNIA MAPHANGA - Musician, Dancer,
Singer and Actress (Nelspruit, South Africa)
It all started for her in grade two when a teacher picked her
for the drum majorettes and traditional dance group. This
stimulated her passion for the arts and later led her to be
picked for a theatre group.
Her first appearance was in 1994 in a play entitled «Crime
does not pay», followed by a session at the market theatre
lab. In 1998 she participated in « wangesheya wangesheya »
and in 2001in the hard times lab.
In 2002 she did MPAL fieldwork where she was the co-or-
dinator for dance. She also taught kids Mpa. In 2006 she
made puppetry around Mbombela with the Temaswati Thea-
tre Company. In 2007 she joined Mutariko. She also however
participated in clown school for life in Germany 2011.
She is currently teaching clowning in schools and is a perfor-
ming artist for Mutariko Arts and Culture project. This inclu-
des but not limited to dance, acting, singing, marimba playing
to mention a few.
11
MAGARET NTOKOZO PHIRI - Choreographer, Singer, Poet,
Actress and Dancer (Nelspruit, South Africa)
Magaret graduated from the Market Theatre Laboratory as
a performing artist in the year 2002 and has since grown,
not only as an artist but also as an arts and culture adminis-
trator of which she went through her learnership in 2009.
She is the author of many poems and plays.
She is a choreographer, dancer, actor, poet, and singer. She
has choreographed for Jika Majika, an SABC 1 National Te-
levision program. She is a versatile dancer, choreographer,
instrumentalist and singer for Mutariko Arts and Culture
Project and administrator in her own right.
RYNOLD T MBATSANE, Actor, Dancer, Musician, and Sin-
ger (Nelspruit, South Africa)
Rynold is a versatile artist who is a manager, musician, arran-
ger and composer. Rynold trained at Ray Phiri Arts Institute
in 2006 which was based in Nelspruit. Rynold has worked
with Mpumalanga Performing Arts Laboratory as a field wor-
ker assisting in the training of rural artists.
He joined Mutariko Arts and Culture Project in 2007 as a
performing artist but has since grown to be the ensemble
manager who also still performs. He is also a traditional
music instrument player who can play instruments which are
not limited to the following list; marimba, mbira, kudu horns
(amapondo), isitolotolo, guitar, keyboard.

He has toured many countries and performed for special

events like the 2010 soccer world cup and the 2011 soccer
women’s world cup in Germany.

STHEMBILE ALBERT MALOPE- Vocal Coach, Singer and

Dancer (Nelspruit, South Africa)

Sthembile Albert Malope, graduated from the Rhodes Uni-

versity as a qualified music teacher. He is an organ player
and violinist in the New Apostolic Church.

Khehla (his nickname) fell in love with African music while tea-
ching at Ray Phiri Arts institute where African Music was
offered as part of the college curriculum.
He joined Mutariko Arts and Culture Project in the year 2007
when it was still in its infancy and has never looked back. Khe-
hla has performed for many events as an instrumentalist,
singer, dancer as well as being part of the management of
Mutariko Arts and Culture Project.

12
 Oliver Borowski :
+33(0)670339540/+33(0)556814251
oliverborowski@theatrethump.com

Carole Deborde :
+33(0)675137217/+33(0)556814251
caroledeborde@theatrethump.com

Théâtre Thump !
15 rue Teulère, 33000 Bordeaux, France
www.theatrethump.com

MUTARIKO ARTS AND CULTURE PROJECT

Godfrey Ndiya Dupwa

Director
013 754 6655/54 // 076 776 7040
goddiedupwa@gmail.com

www.mutariko.co.za