Disabled Youth South Africa under the auspices of Disabled People South Africa recently staged a dance theatre piece called Pathways of Hope which was a showcase and promotion of artistic talents of disabled youth in KZN.

The funds provided by the National Lottery were distributed to the nine provinces. Each hired an arts and culture co-ordinator to implement the project. Zanele “Dolly: Simelane holds this position in KZN.

Initially she organised workshops with youngsters to introduce them to music dance and drama. Three drama students of The University of Natal Pietermaritzburg carried the dance and drama workshops. The Foundation of the Music Institute conducted the music workshops.

These workshops were followed by auditions to expose disabled youth to the harsh and competitive world of the arts as well as to determine the cast for Pathways of Hope which had one performance in the Playhouse Grand Foyer.

For more information on Disabled People South Africa contact Dolly S’melane on 031 304 3555/8, fax 031 304 3559 or e-mail: kzn@dpsa.org.za