Laphum'Ilanga Theatre Project

This project uses participatory arts methodologies to communicate women's stories about rape and HIV in an effort to bring hope and inspiration to other women who are going through similar experiences. The idea is that, by creating safe spaces in which women can share their stories of being raped or of discovering they are HIV-positive, a process of transformation and healing can begin for others.

This sharing of stories and experiences was facilitated through a series arts-based theatre workshops. Organisers mobilised 28 women, mostly drawn from 3 community-based organisations (CBOs) in Khayelitsha. The space provided in the workshop setting was designed to allow the women to share deeply personal stories of violation and abuse. Participants applied community art forms in what was described as a collective, creative process that drew from the traditional 'insomi' storytelling among the Xhosa.

The outreach pieces that emerged serve as the basis of interactive community performances that involve women and girls voicing their concerns, desires and fears around HIV/AIDS and gender-specific violence. Mothertongue stresses that, in South Africa, the issue of HIV/AIDS cannot be looked at without focusing on access to antiretrovirals (ARVs) and post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP), so the project also includes stories around access and lack of access to these treatments.

Gender, Women, HIV/AIDS.

"Laphumílanga" is a Xhosa word for sunrise.

Mothertongue indicates that a counsellor at a local rape clinic reported an increase in the number of people seeking help, because of the performances they watched.

Mothertongue is working towards establishing networks and partnerships with community-based structures and organisations around Khayelitsha in Cape Town.