Earlier this year, Sue Clarence, founder of the Hilton Arts Festival (HAF), received an email from a teacher at Reddam House Umlanga, a school located just outside Durban. The email said the students at Reddam had heard about the fundraiser HAF was holding and wanted to contribute.
“These kids want to write their own play and perform it at their school,” Clarence explained, “and all the ticket money that they get, they’re going to give to us.”
The students at Reddam, regular attendants of HAF, are more than aware of the special nature of the event. “These kids are already championing the theatre. Nobody needs to teach them that.” Perhaps there are a few lessons to learn from the innovation and passion of the Reddam students.