Done in collaboration with Isu Elisha Theatre Production, the play titled: “Hey Wena, it all starts here!” formed part of the annual Welcome and Orientation Programme for the 2017 cohort of new first-year students. The play was staged at all the campus residences. Although intended for first-year students, senior students also joined in for these infotainment sessions.
According to the dean of Student Affairs, Ms Prem Coopoo, who commissioned the production, the aim of the initiative was largely to communicate important information to first year students in a more innovative way.
“Although the students have access to the same information electronically and in print form, the theatrical presentation went a long way in reinforcing the key messages we want to convey,” she adds.
She further indicates that the content covered various thematic aspects such as academic development, support structures available to students, communal living guidelines, safety and security and human rights issues.
“Such initiatives reaffirms our commitment to creating a safer campus community and a vibrant student life – free of social challenges which students more often than not go through,” said Coopoo.
In one of the scenes, the play tackled the “Blesser-Blesee” and “Date Rape” phenomena which Coopoo says are evident at most of the university campuses across South Africa. “These are two examples of the many issues which are tormenting the uninformed, which is why we cannot simply fold our arms and do nothing to address these issues. We hope that through this awareness campaign, our students will be able to take the necessary precautions when confronted with such issues,” she concluded.
Some of the scenes from the play
