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