Cape Town – The Rainbow Academy Class of 2018 will perform the award-winning South African hit musical Sarafina!, an ode to the lives of fallen youth who fought for equality in education during the 1976 Soweto uprising, at Artscape later this month.
The Rainbow Academy is a non-profit school of performing arts and business with the aim of nurturing talent, educating, and addressing youth unemployment in the performing arts and creative industries.
The iconic musical, written and composed by Dr Mbongeni Ngema with additional songs by late Struggle icon Hugh Masekela, is given new life in this production that marks the school’s first official production at a public theatre.
All proceeds will contribute towards the fees for the incoming Rainbow Academy students of 2019.
Imke du Toit, deputy principal of the Rainbow Academy and director of Sarafina!, said: “The academy has identified the untapped performance talent as the entry point to address youth unemployment, and a programme has been created that mentors youth in a vibrant, relevant, creative and portable way.
“Each beneficiary is mentored to make a significant contribution in leadership and service.”
The official opening night is on January 30, with daily matinees and evening performances until February 2. Schools across Cape Town are encouraged to attend the matinees of January 30, 31 and February 1 and can receive discounted group bookings - contact [email protected] for bookings.
Matinee shows cost R60 and Evening shows cost R100.