Having big dreams and ideas and little to no money is the reality many young people face on the Cape Flats, and opportunities overseas always seem more idyllic than one’s own circumstances.
Selega learned this the hard way and she takes us on her adventure in play, Salega Kom Huis Toewith extra baggage.
People’s Choice Outreach Project, a Salt River non-profit promoting young talent in the area, created the show after the success of their first play, How Baariek Got His Groove Back.
The musical follows Salega, a young woman who is fed up with her life on the Cape Flats.
Hoping to make her mother proud, she accepts an overseas job offer, thinking the grass is greener on the other side, but she soon realises the price for success is more than she can bear and that money doesn’t buy happiness.
The musical deals with issues of overcoming poverty in a light-hearted manner and makes use of Cape Flats slang (mengels).
The show also features two original songs produced by local musician Malik Fredericks.
According to producer Nazmie Jamodien the show is about uplifting young talent as there is a lot of it on the Cape Flats that needs to be nurtured and promoted and People’s Choice can do that.
“It’s a way of giving back to the community, there’s lots of talent out there that needs to be nurtured and this gives youth the opportunity to come forward and show that they can rap or act. Unemployment is rife among our youth in disadvantaged communities.
“Salega discovers the building blocks of being happy and I think this has a direct impact on youth on the Cape Flats.
“Youth sit on corners and dream about making it big overseas, but they can try and make it here too,” he said.
The stars of the show include Angeline Swarts, Seth Mckinnon, Kaylynn Palm, Lavita De Alova and Cameron Africa, who studied acting through the Eoan Group Theatre Company based at the Joseph Stone Auditorium.
Mr Jamodien said that the cast has been practising for three months and is excited to get the show on the road.
It will be staged at the Joseph Stone Auditorium on Friday and Saturday September 22 and 23.
Tickets are R100 and available at Braude’s Pharmacy in Athlone or at Medi Place Pharmacy in Woodstock. Contact Nadia at 072 712 8444 for ticket sales.
