TX Theatre Productions
Is  a community based theatre company that creates socially relevant theatre productions. The company is comprised of young men whose average is 23 years old. They are based in the township of Tembisa, which is located about 33km (40 minutes) from Johannesburg. The group operates primarily out of the Moses Molelekwa Arts Center in Tembisa.  The company members include: Peter M., Mongezi M. (coordinator), Bandile, Mxolisi M. (director), Josiah M., Solomon M., Nash S. (coordinator), Justice P., Lunga M., Mika.  
The Process
     We first became of aware of the group through Dir. Warona Seane, when she invited us to a community theatre festival being hosted by the Market Theatre Lab. The performance of their original play Queen, left me riveted and inspired. A year later we contacted them to meet with Antonio along with Simphiwe and Abel (WAH ambassadors) to discuss the possibility of working with We Are Here. That initial meeting turned into a workshop discussion that highlighted a need and a desire to embark on a journey discovery through We Are Here. Our collaborative engagemnet has been divided into two phases. During phase 1 the workshops focused on the development of life skills and personal awareness. I've concluded during my research that these two areas are vital to addressing cycles of violence and building healthier communities. This phase ran from December 2013 through April 2014.  Phase 2 of the workshops began in October 2014  and included a hybrid workshop-rehearsal process. During the sessions the participants created personal stories told through words, song, dance and discussions. Phase 2 culminated in the creation of a new version of We Are Here, which ran from December 9th - 14th at the Soweto Theatre in Jabulani, Soweto. 

"From the very 1st session I took a whole lot and I've been bettering my life ever since."  - Bandile
Fast Facts
  • Ekurhuleni (metro area of Gauteng) at a glance
  • The Metro was formed in 2000 and includes the towns and townships of Alberton, Benoni, Boksburg, Daveyton, Brakpan, Duduza, Edenvale, Etwatwa, Germiston, Katlehong, Kempton Park, KwaThema, Nigel, Springs, Tembisa, Thokoza, Tsakane and Vosloorus.
  • Tembisa, was established in 1957 when black South Africans were resettled from Alexandra and other areas in Edenvale, Kempton Park, Midrand and Germisto
  • Population 2.6 million (2008)
  • Ekurhuleni means “place of peace” in Xitsonga
  • The district covers an area of about 2 000km2 and  has population density of 1 400 people per km2.