By: Sinenjabulo Sithole

The Durban University of Technology’s Drama Department honoured the internationally acclaimed Gcina Mhlophe through a Children’s Art Festival.

As part of the festival, the drama students showcased a play by Mhlophe, which was one of the ways they commemorated the legendary storyteller.

The play, Fudukazi’s Magic, was performed by 1st year students in collaboration with Genbia Hyla, and was accompanied by musical compositions by Madlen Tzankova, who conducted young instrumentalists from the Durban Musical School.

Drama student, Buhle Nzama, said that she is privileged to be a part of this year’s play.

“It is an honour to be part of this festival because we are celebrating on of South Africa’s best female storytellers. Gcina is a phenomenal woman with exceptional knowledge about art- we really learnt a lot form her,” she said

Head of Department for Drama and Performance Studies, Professor Debbie Lutge, said that it is important for institutions to acknowledge and honour our legends while they still live.

“Every year we choose a Durban play writer that we believe is spectacular and this year we chose Gcina Mhlophe. She is probably the best story teller in South Africa and for us it was really important to honour her work,” she said.