Phefumla Queer Collective in partnership with Amandla Development and Triangle Project presents the first Phefumla Annual Festival. The festival will amplify the visibility of queer youth’s lived experiences in their communities through artistic expressions of dance, music, visual installations and theatre.
The themes of this year’s festival are promoting mental wellness, advocating against gender-based and sexual violence, and the bullying of queer learners. The festival is unique in that it has been developed by learners for learners and about learners. Members of the community, parents, educators, and peers will also participate in the festival.
The cover charge is R50, and block bookings can be made for those interested in spending the day.
The participating learners are from different township areas that include Khayelitsha, Makhaya, Makhaza, Site B, Site C, Kuyasa, Mfuleni, Crossroads, Nyanga, Eerste River, Southfield, Lower Crossroads, Philliphi, Samora and Stellenbosch.
From Friday 8 July to Saturday 9 July 2022 from 12pm until 5pm at Philippi Village in Philippi, queer youth will use artistic expressions to illustrate the themes of the festival.
On Friday 8 July the festival starts at 12pm with an art procession departing from Philippi Village through the streets, vending stalls and taxi ranks ending at Philippi Mall. The procession includes an unfolding art installation forming part of the art parade.
At Philippi Mall there will be brief performances and the distribution of material that contain mental wellness and educational messages to educate the community about SOGIESC (Sexual orientation, Gender Identity, Expression, and Sex Characteristics) and issues of discrimination against LGBTIAQ+.
On Saturday 9 July the festival starts 12pm at Philippi Village with a showcase of theatre, dance and music performances, conversations, exhibitions and screenings.
The learner-led festival will be for the entire community affected by challenges youth face and are afraid to talk about. The theme of mental wellness is particularly important with the rise in youth taking their own lives as a result of everyday traumas.
Phefumla’s mission is to create platforms that allow learners to explore and embrace creativity in working towards uniting LGBQTIA+ learners, allies, parents, and the community to challenge the perpetual hate and trauma that youth endure.
For more information contact Luvuyo Kakaza on 060 960 8935.
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Pictures: Supplied