Stellenbosch’s Town Hall was transformed into a stage for the town’s untold stories last week, as 20 acts across different categories participated in the e’Bosch Festival of Talents: A celebration of poetry, song, drama and dance drawn entirely from the community, according to Pricilla Visser, e’Bosch Festival of Talents manager.
The festival, run by the non-profit organisation e’Bosch Heritage Project, invited residents of Stellenbosch and surrounding areas to submit original work earlier this year, with successful entrants moving through auditions between August and September before performing on Heritage Day, 24 September, said Visser.
From left are Juanita Jacobs, e’Bosch office manager; Priscilla Visser, e’Bosch Festival of Talents manager; festival winners Onwaba Mbutya, Makupula Secondary school drama group, Okumiyo Skolweni from Makupula Secondary, Jenny Hector Bergstedt and Mark Johannes; and Anthony Penderis, e’Bosch media manager. PHOTO: Supplied/Priscilla Visser
About 40-45 people auditioned, with 18 selected to perform alongside two guest performers from previous years, said Visser. Winners included Mark Johannes, Onwaba Mbutya, the Makupula Secondary School drama group, Okumiyo Skolweni, and Jenny Hector Bergstedt.
The event, sponsored by the department of cultural affairs and sport, Moore Global and Wesgro, was free to attend and drew a number of tourists, said Visser.
One of the evening’s most striking pieces was Untold Stories, performed by a group of learners at Makapula Secondary School in Kayamandi, said Ziyanda Gama, a teacher at the school who coordinated the group. The play followed inmates revealing the circumstances that led them to prison, said Gama.
Visser singled out the group’s performance too: “I was in awe of the young kids and the drama [pieces] they put on for us, just the raw emotion that came out of those drama pieces, it was very very moving.”
“Often society focuses on the sentencing of prisoners,” said Gama. “Immediately when they are inside bars, no one cares enough to listen as to why they are there, which leaves little room for rehabilitation.”
The story emerged from the cast’s own character development exercises, said Gama.
“Seeing that Kayamandi itself is not isolated from such incidents. Violent crimes, domestic violence, rape, murder, robbery occur daily of which the perpetrators end up in prison,” she said.
The cast – aged 15 to 17 – were directed by previous students Sihle Nciweni (20) and Siyabonga Nkomiphela (21), with a script by Hlumelo Mantshi (19) and Siziphiwe Manzini (19), said Gama.
Gama described the group’s audition as a turning point: “The cast was enthusiastic and rehearsed with diligence. They were wonderful as the organizers/judges were swept off their feet.”
Mark Johannes, a singer-songwriter (56), travelled from Kraaifontein to perform two original songs, including a tribute written after the disappearance of six-year-old Joshlin Smith, he said. He nearly missed the auditions due to family responsibilities but was tracked down by organisers, Johannes said.
“I could sense there was a vibrancy with everyone, organisers, participants and audience alike,” he said.
Every performer received a R500 appearance fee, with five acts, including Johannes, earning an extra R1 000 prize, he said. Johannes is now developing a one-man show for 2027, and said Stellenbosch needs far more creative platforms.
“There are far too little […] to showcase their creations and get public exposure,” he said.
Performers on stage at the e’Bosch Festival of Talents at the Stellenbosch Town Hall on 24 September. The festival featured 20 acts across poetry, song, drama and dance. PHOTO: Supplied/Pricilla Visser
For Jenny Hector Bergstedt (61), the festival was a homecoming. Raised in Cloetesville, she returned to South Africa a few years ago after decades abroad and performed “Stellenbosch”, a song adapted from her own published poetry, she said.
“It is my original work, and Stellenbosch inspired me because I grew up there,” she said.
She found out about the festival on Facebook and auditioned by phone.
“The audience loved it. They were dancing and clapping […] I was very ecstatic, obviously, and very surprised.” Bergstedt plans to record the song professionally and hopes for a local radio play.
Visser said this year’s turnout and quality were on par with previous editions, though the project got off to a late start. Those wanting to take part next year should watch e’Bosch’s social media for updates.