LHM Abasha Bash! Festival 2023

13 June

(Text by Ayanda MaNgcobo Simelane)

Abasha Bash! is the performing arts of the Passbook Competition administered by the Durban Local History Museums. ARROWSA has been a long-standing partner of the competition and was once again represented in the 2023 installment of the competition.  The auditions took place on 16 and 17 May 2023 and the finals on 13 June 2023.

ARROWSA chair, Ms Luthando Ngema and Dr. Mary Lange (Mel) formed part of the adjudication panel. Other adjudicators were from eThekwini Living Arts, K-Cap and the KwaZulu-Natal Department of Education.  They witnessed amazing talent delivered by 17 schools from different parts of eThekwini.

The schools produced 10 minute performances under the theme: The Year of Imbokodo, in recognition of female leadership, the struggles and the role of women in society.

Ms Mohau Qalaza of LHM and founder of the Passbook Competition and Abasha Basha! in Durban (above)

Teachers and learners from Durban area schools attend the Abasha Bash! Festival at the Westville Civic Centre

Dr Mary Lange (MeL) and Ms Luthando Ngema (ARROWSA Chairperson) adjudicate at the Abasha Bash! Festival

ARROWSA collaboration: Education and Outreach

Text by Ayanda MaNgcobo Simelane

ARROWSA is engaged in education and outreach, through its partnership with the Bergtheil Museum, it has facilitated educational tours to schools from different parts of eThekwini. The tours are based on cultural heritage, incorporating classroom learning, museum education and the use of storytelling in heritage education. 

As part of the ARROWSA programme primary School learners are led through the Bergtheil Museum by Local History Museums staff.

(above and below)

MeL team Mary Lange, Aslina Madikizela, and ARROWSA alumni Jabu Nxumalo and Noluthando Shandu collaborate with ARROWSA and Durban Local History Museums to share with Grade 5 learners through experiential learning about sources of the past - including oral stories, (above) and indigenous dancing (below).

Palmiet Nature Reserve staff, Palmiet Nature Reserve Committee, Jean Senogles collaborate with ARROWSA, Durban Local History Museums (LHM) and MeL, Mary Lange and Aslina Madikizela in the LHM Passbook Competition visits to the Palmiet Nature Reserve. There the learners are part of an interactive archaeological demonstration (above) and nature walks. Both of these emphasise the central role of women in the past.