Za Foundation is pleased to support the work of the Zakhele Group.  The Zakhele Group consists of young people and adult mentors who use drama music and song to teach other young people about HIV/AIDS, teenage pregnancy, drug abuse, etc. These issues affect young people the world over and open up discussion about young people’s lives in the UK and South Africa.

Following on from their successful 2009 tour, Zakhele returned this summer and visited 17 schools in North Somerset and Bristol.  In secondary schools the group performed and held workshops raising issues of cultural diversity and sexual health.  At primary level, the focus was on music, song, dance and interactive African storytelling.  In addition there were creative workshops and social activities provided to facilitate interaction of young people. The Downs School kindly hosted a hugely successful music festival for all participating primary schools on July 5th and on 30^th June there was a  joint Zakhele and secondary school  performance at the Weston Playhouse.

There is no doubt that Zakhele touched many, many people during their visit to the UK and greatly increased awareness of the issues they face on a daily basis within their local community.   Za Foundation hopes to bring Zakhele back for a third UK visit in 2013.  If your school or organisation would like to be involved in the next Zakhele visit, please do get in touch.

A full evaluation of Zakhele’s 2009 visit, (when they were known as ‘Youth in Action’), can be found here.