This weekend we indulged in some African culture with Jen's workmates by seeing the production of African Footprint.
African Footprint tells the vibrant and diverse history of South Africa through music & dance. The African drum, saxophone and pennywhistle meld Afro- and Euro-centric music and dance. All of the dancers consistently awed us by their fitness and were unbelievably toned and fit, and with the males in the opening scene sporting costumes of only loin cloth and a g-string over their genitalia... the audience (well at least the females) were captivated!
In 1999, a producer recruited a group of young people from the dusty streets of Soweto. From hundreds of hopefuls, 30 young aspiring performers were chosen. The next year was taken up with vocal classes and intensive dance instruction which, for most, was their first opportunity to enter the world of professional theater. Seemingly going nowhere, the long hours of rehearsal were rewarded when, on December 31st 1999, African Footprint was invited to perform before Nelson Mandela in Block B on Robben Island, the very place where South Africa’s leader had been a prisoner for some 18 years.
With the best tickets being very reasonably priced it was hard (and would be mean) to fault. A fun night out and a reminder for all South Africans to unite & be proud!
