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South African Great Ubuntu Recycled Universal
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Contact in South Africa
Chairperson:
Matlhomola Digoamage
Tel : + 27 (0) 71 981 6452
Eléonore GODFROY
Cultural & Communications Officer
French Institute of South Africa
Cnr Margaret Mcingana Street & Gwigwi Mrwebi St
Newtown Cultural Precinct
PO Box 542, Newtown 2113
Johannesburg - Afrique du Sud
Tel.: + 27 (0) 11 836 05 61
Fax : + 27 (0) 11 836 58 50
Mail : comm.culture@ifas.org.za
Contact en France
Christophe Evette
Les Grandes Personnes
77 rue des Cités
93 300 Aubervilliers
Tél. : 00 33 (0)1 43 52 19 84
mail@lesgrandespersonnes.com
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BACKGROUND
Under the artistic direction of the established French collective of artists “Les Grandes
Personnes”, a team of 7 artists and 7 craftsmen from Orange Farm created and produced
four giant puppets featuring a mother, a father, a daughter and a son, a mask of a grand-
mother and a baby puppet.
During the residency project which took place at the Orange Farm Multi Purpose Complex
from Tuesday 12th of August 2008 to Wednesday 27th of August 2008, the collective also
focused on staging, acting and handling the puppets; this platform was the opportunity for
skills transfer, cultural exchange, and ideas sharing.
To the delight of passerby, the family of giants measuring up to 4m high went on to
parade in Orange Farm on Wednesday 27th of August 2008, in Cape Town as part of Out
The Box Festival on Saturday 30th of August 2008, in Pretoria as part of the Capital Arts
Festival on Friday 5th of September 2008 and in Johannesburg as part of the Gauteng
Carnival on Saturday 6th of September 2008.
This experience created such interest and enthusiasm amongst the South African artists
that the group SA G.U.R.U. was born in August 2008 to take on the family of puppets to
many more streets!
This residency project was funded by the French Embassy, the French Institute of
South Africa, CulturesFrance and the Gauteng Provincial Government.
PROFILES
PRODUCTION TEAM
₪ HELLERY BABIDI MOLOTO
Hellery Moloto founded with Matlhomola Digoamage, TUPA Production in 2006. The
organization produces interior design & antics, bead work, baskets making, recycling form
of art, painting and also fashion design. The organization aims at promoting South African
art and has been involved in government projects.
₪ MACDONALD MFOLO
Macdonald Mfolo enrolled for fashion designing from 20002 until 2006 when he furthered
his education by enrolling in project management. In 2005, he established FARMLAND
Production with the aim of empowering both disadvantage women and the upcoming
generation. Amongst other activities, the organization produces school uniforms, organizes
talent shows and dance competitions.
₪ LURUYO MAYEKISO
Luruyo Mayekiso is the founder of TOPLESS Hair Salon in Orange Farm in 1996. From a
shack to a proper salon, TOPLESS has become an established salon in the area which
offers services for weddings, parties & concerts.
₪ CORA MAZIBUKO
Cora Mazibuko studied fashion design. She occupied the position of Secretary of the
Orange Farm Sport Complex, she is also a member of the Royal House Art Company. Her
achievements include: OFASCO Award, recognizing excellence in sport, 24 dance trophies
and 21 medals for dance, aerobics & dragon boat. She enjoys writing and performing
poetry, fine art & music as well as a variety of sports including swimming, dance, aerobics
and dragon boat racing.
₪ ABRAM MASELA
Abram Masela attended school at Mapetia High School in Soweto. Having benefited of no
education, he developed his own skills as a welder amongst other talents.
₪ PROMISE PUMLA KEKANA
Promise Pumla Kekana spends most of her time sculpting using paper maché, painting
portraits. She has developed an interest and talent for visual since primary school.
Although she has never been to art school or university, she has taught visual art to
primary schools in Orange Farm and joined a visual art certificate. She visits the Children
Day Care Centre to share her artistic skills with the children. She loves gospel music,
reading books, writing poetry and also telling stories.
₪ VINCENT MKHABELA
Vincent Mkhabela started Mr. Mind Construction and projects CC in 1997. The interest of
the establishment was to be self employed and to respond to the Government Black
Economic Empowerment initiative through income generating activities. He acquired a lot
of experience in Interior Decoration, Arundel Wallpaper, Marketing, Metal Work,
Upholstery, etc… but he specializes in arc-welding, braising, upholstery and art work.
PERFORMERS
₪ SIZWE CASTRO KUBHEKA
Sizwe Kubheka is an actor, dancer and choreographer and a choreographer of Zulu
traditional dance. He has been a proud member of KHENSANI TRIBE YOUTH PRODUCTION
since 2000. He has performed in most community festivals and performed for the Joburg
Carnival from 2005 to 2008. He also facilitated life skills in HIV/SA camps every ends of
term.
₪ MATLHOMOLA DIGOAMAGE
Matlhomola Digoamage founded with Hellery Moloto, TUPA Production in 2006. The
organization produces interior design & antics, bead work, baskets making, recycling form
of art, painting and also fashion design. The organization aims at promoting South African
art and has been involved in government projects. His talents include painting, printing,
crafting, photography, poetry, amongst others.
₪ BHEKUMBUSO NENE
Bhekumbuso Nene started performing as an actor in 1999 in a production called Young
Stars. He developed himself in terms of theatre doing different stage plays. In 2002, he
went to another production called ISIGAU SEAFRICA Entertainment & Recreation. He was
hired as an actor in the production called KWAMALUME which toured at the Market
Theatre, Windybrow Theatre and art schools.
₪ CAROL MAZIBUKO
Carol Mazibuko’s achievements include 13 trophies & 5 medals in Dance & Sport, Nike
Woman in Dance (Hip Hop, Reggae, Belly Dancer), actor in the dramas TSHA-TSHA and
MUVHANGO, My Sport My Passion in SEVENTEEN magazine, Manager of VUKA FILM
PRODUCTION, Director of VUKA RECYCLING PROJECT and member of KHULISA acting
against crime. Currently she is a promoter of the CREATIVE CANCEL.
₪ TSHEPO WINFREY PRETORIUS
Tshepo Winfrey Pretorius is a performer from MASBAMBANE CHAMPIONS which works
hand in hand with KHENSANI TRIBE YOUTH PRODUCTION. He has worked with other
organizations such as E.T.D. which specializes in modern dance, GOLDEN EGLE which
specializes in modern and international dance. He has also worked with KHENSANI TRIBE
YOUTH PRODUCTION which specializes in traditional dance, music, modern dance and
poetry. He was awarded a certificate in choreography at MANYANO. He is also a camp
councilor and facilitator, helping to coordinate trainings for orphanages & shelters and to
provide inspiration and hope to those who need it.
₪ ADAM THABO KGANG
Adam Kgang enjoys music, dance and acting. He started doing art at an early age with a
group called IMBUMBA THEATER PRODUCTION under the direction of Sisi Zulu. He then
moved to ISIGGI SABASHA THEATER GROUP in Orange Farm and performed with the
group in Gauteng with the play called IMFISHIMFISHI). In 2006, he worked with GIBSON &
SON’S PRODUCTION and performed in the play THE CALL in the Erkurulen Municipality
region. He is the proud member of ISIGGI SABASHA THEATER GROUP and the Vice-
Chairperson of the group. In 2007, the group produced a Gospel album which was
promoted in Gauteng. In 2008, the group produced an album THE BEAUTIFULLY CHILLED
OF AFRICA with Dr Annette, the founder of The Global Natural Healthcare Trust in England,
with the hope of building a clinic for HIV patients in Orange Farm.
₪ ISAAC EZAIAH SITHOLE
Isaac Sithole matriculated in 2006 at Mohloli Secondary School. He is the co-founder, co-
owner and director of a theater production called FEmales. He is hoping that the projects
he is involved in can help the community as well as society in a positive way. In 2006, he
joined LOVE LIFE as a volunteer in a Y-Center in Orange Farm: visiting schools,
participating in youth festivals, promoting positive healthy lifestyle and hosting community
dialogue. In 2008, he became involved with the Nelson Mandela Funds Involvement in
launching the Children’s Parliament for Nelson Mandela 90th birthday’s celebrations.
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