New play puts the spotlight on child trafficking

The scourge of children being kidnapped and trafficked is once again in the spotlight. This follows the release of a play, “Ro Tshinya Mini,” which loosely translates to “What wrong have we done?”

The play, by a relatively new and unknown playwright, Phathutshedzo Mudau, premiered during a function held at the Thulamela Arts Centre on Saturday, 20 April. It features a group of young learners as actors.

Mudau, from Maragwana Tshabvuma and the founder of Shumani Development Art Theatre, said the play was inspired by the spiralling rate of child kidnapping cases, especially in the Vhembe area.

“Child trafficking is becoming a big monster and a demon in our communities. Day in and day out, we hear of children snatched on their way from school and shops, some luckily found alive while others are killed or maimed. So much has been done to conscientise communities about this scourge, but it seems not to be ending. We have decided to use children to highlight their plight. They are always on the receiving end, being forced to sell drugs or being kidnapped for child trafficking. This must come to an end. Here we are making use of actions to make a bold statement while our audience watches. We strongly believe this will send a strong message to a wider audience and help us end the scourge.”

Mudau’s introduction to live performances was more than 20 years ago. “I joined the Nzhelavhalimi Community Theatre at Tshitereke in 2003. I took a long break, and it was only in 2023 during the Thulamela Arts Festival that I revived my passion and produced my first play, ‘Ho Khakha Nnyi’. It received wild acclaim, and this motivated me a lot,” he said.

He believes that initiatives such as this will help a lot in keeping young people occupied. Those who would like to join or get more information can contact him at 0648078955.

Date:05 May 2024

By: Elmon Tshikhudo

Elmon Tshikhudo started off as a photographer. He developed an interest in writing and started submitting articles to local as well as national publications. He became part of the Limpopo Mirror family in 2005 and was a permanent part of the news team until 2019.

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