Each year, OYO works with selected youth groups, trains them in dance, drama and songs and organises a major youth festival. This year, OYO worked with four talented youth groups – Outjo and Khorixas in the Kunene region, Karibib in the Erongo region and Okahandja in the Otjozondjupa region. The 2009 youth festival toured in Ohangwena, Oshana, Omusati and Otjikoto regions.
Preparing the festival is a year-long endeavour. It started in January 09, with the OYO staff receiving training from Zoie Golding, choreographer from the UK and manager of the renowned dance troupe Fuzzylogic. Zoie created a piece called ‘Think’ about the use and non-use of condoms. The OYO staff were then in charge of teaching the piece to the four groups.
In May, the OYO staff received further training in contemporary dance and hip hop with Nadia Iftkhar, also from the UK . Nadia created a piece called ‘Common ground’, looking at how people could learn to work together towards achieving a common goal. Once again, the OYO staff were then in charge of teaching the piece to all groups.
Between January and July, OYO worked with three talented youth groups in Khorixas, Outjo and Karibib. Each group created a show with a powerful message. The shows were created as mini musicals, following the story of few protagonists through drama, dances and songs. In Outjo the story focussed around peer pressure and the use of condoms. In Karibib the story focused on stigma and discrimination. In Khorixas the story focused on teenage pregnancy.
All three groups were then ready to go on tour. Three regional tours were organised, with Outjo visiting the Karas Regions, with a stop over to Hardap and Otjozondjupa regions, Karibib visit the Kavango region and Khorixas visiting the Caprivi region. The shows reached 15,176 people. The groups were always extremely well received and their performances were highly appreciated.
Well perfomed dances by the youth.
With the tours finished, it was time to prepare the festival. Since OYO had also been involved during the year with the Okahandja Youth group, it decided to invite the group to join the festival. OYO’s director Philippe Talavera decided to merge some elements from the different performances and create a new story. All groups had to learn the drama parts, songs and dances that were new to their groups. Under the leadership of Matias Kamati, OYO’s production coordinator, OYO’s production assistants started to rehearse with the groups.
As a result, 13 youths from Khorixas, 20 from Outjo, 16 from Karibib and 15 from Okahandja were selected to take part in the festival and all travelled on 18 September to Eenhana, Ohangwena region, where they met with OYO’s director. They had less than two days to put the show together! It was hard work.
It was then time for the first show at Haimbili Haufiku Secondary School, in Eenhana. The first show is always an amazing experience. It’s time to see if the audience enjoy the show while getting a message. Over 900 learners came to the performance! It was a major crowd.
The group then toured Ohangwena, Oshana, Omusati and Otjikoto regions, presenting 12 school shows and 2 community shows. The tour was hectic – early wake up, long drives, quick setups, performances, quick packing, more long drives, etc. but it was a resounding success. It reached 6,929 people! The dance pieces ‘Denying’ and ‘Think twice’, choreographed by P. Talavera, were always highlights. The songs ‘It feels’ and ‘we are the youth’, created by Karibib youth group, touched people’s heart.
The show followed the story of J-Lo (Valdine Ndjitaviua from Karibib youth group) and Calvin (Calvin Kausiona from Khorixas youth group), two young people who are pressurised by their friends to start a relationship. J-Lo doesn’t take the pill and none is comfortable negotiating condoms. J-Lo then falls pregnant. The young couple doesn’t know how to deal with the situation. The cast, joined by Paulina Tjitana (also seen in the film ‘5 minutes of pleasure’), Mercy Khaises from Khorixas youth group and Daniel Ndume from Outjo youth group, always received standing ovations wherever it toured.
The tour was recorded by M. Kamati, with well-known cameraperson Horst Zaire joining on 23 September. OYO’s production assistant, Ivan ‘Fly’ Mueze, acted as sound recorder. A documentary is expected to be released at the beginning of 2010.
M Kamati recording.
Each youth group is now back to its community. Hopefully, they will continue to create awareness, present more performances to their own communities, and encourage other youths to join the groups.
The OYO festival is a major annual event hosted by OYO. It would not be possible without the support of OYO’s partners, namely the Ministry of Health and Social Services through the Global Fund, HIVOS, the French Service for Cooperation and Cultural Affairs of the French Embassy, Medicos del Mundo and NAPPA. OYO wishes to thank all those partners for their valuable support.
As the last song says, ‘we see a smile on your face’ and we know the audiences have enjoyed our program.
The OYO team
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