Jungle Theatre Company doesn’t usually mention what goes on behind the scenes because the most important work of the organisation is out there with the beneficiaries. But so much has been going on in the office itself that the Jungle team though for once the newsletter should lead with an article about things backstage. Firstly Zukie Mpofu-Ndyalvan joined the Jungle office as Project Coordinator in April. She has a long history working with eMzantsi and the team is really happy to have her working in the office and as part of the Management Committee. The office itself has had some major renovations, creating a bigger and more comfortable working area. JTC has also had an area made for storage of props and costumes. JTC says a big thank you to the Meyburghs for making the Jungle bigger. And finally after a very long time, the donated photocopier printer finally gave up the ghost, but Jungle’s own office angel at Konica Minolta was able to find an alternative second hand machine to donate to Jungle Theatre Company. Everyone at Jungle Theatre Company says a big “thank you” to Melanie Fourie for her continued support of the organisation and for keeping the Jungle office functioning. CUTTING EDGE AT GRAHAMSTOWN Indlovu People is one of 11 productions on Cape Town Edge at the National Arts Festival this year. Indlovu People will be on daily @ 10h00 from 30th June – 4th July at the Princess Alice Hall. Artistic Director Vincent Meyburgh said: “I am stoked to be part of the Cape Town Edge team this year, by working together we will all stand out a little and not be a lost in the huge sea of productions on the Fringe at National Arts Festival. I am also pleased to offer Cape Town Edge theatre for the younger members of the human family.” JTC will also be hosting workshops as part of the Children’s festival during the trip to Grahamstown. Indlovu People has been invited to perform at Voorkamerfest in Darling in September. PREPARING FOR WINTER Jungle Theatre Company has been out on the road with Disaster Risk Management on a tour of informal settlements that are at high risk from flooding in winter. The tour visited settlements all over the Cape Town metropolitan area that are at risk of flooding for a wide range of reasons and included: Fisantekraal; Doornbach; Sweet Home Farm; Kosovo; Never Never ; Boys Town; Lotus Park; Kanana; Thabo Mbeki;Phola Park Phillippi; Europe/Vukuzenzele ; Joe Slovo; Graveyard – Browns Farm ; Lusaka; Pholile Park /Solly’s Town; Sir Lowry’s Pass Village; Burundi /Mfuleni ; Shukushukuma/Mfuleni; Overcome Heights and Red Hill. The show was well received by residents who asked the Disaster Risk Management team a lot of questions after the performances about preparations communities and individual families could make ahead of the rainy season. It was also an opportunity for children to enjoy theatre in their own community. JTC thanks Compass Bakery for the donation of palettes to build the set. CELEBRATING BIODIVERSITY Hoerikwaggo travelled to Vrolijkheid Nature Reserve, near Roberston for Cape Nature’s open day and International Biodiversity Day celebrations. Educators and children were wowed by the story of two baboons Smiley and Knuckles and their journey across the Table Mountain Range. And it being the International Year for Biodiversity, Hoerikwaggo is enjoying somewhat of a renaissance. JTC is in the latter stages of working with Table Mountain National Park to turn the play into a comic book format and is also pleased to announce that funding has been found to continue Hoerikwaggo in schools through funding from Table Mountain National Park and DG Murray Trust. NEWS IN BRIEF •Vincent Meyburgh and Unathi Speelman hosted a Jungle Jive workshop for International Fund for Animal Welfare’s tree planting ceremony at the Mdzananda Animal Clinic in Khayelitsha. •Laduma trainees have been working on Jungle Jive and plans are afoot for JTC to tour Vrygrond, Seawinds and Masiphumelele in the long school holidays as part of the National Lottery Distribution Trust Fund training project. The Laduma trainees have also been gracing the SABC in a collaboration to promote tuneful and safe use of vuvuzelas with Dr Bruce Copley’s Rainbow Vuvuzela group. For more information please visit www.aahalearning.com <http://www.aahalearning.com> •Jungle Theatre Company was part of a study by French PhD student Helene Schwitzer, who followed the Jungle team through their processes and productions for a week as part of a research project. JTC also assisted a group of Cape Peninsula University of Technology students with a graphic design competition centred around charities, non profit and non governmental organisations. •Jungle’s AGM was held on 20th April, a new non office bearing board member Fatima Damon was elected and the rest of the board was re-elected as well. Jungle members were treated to a short performance by the Laduma trainees who were welcomed into the fold as members. •Once again it is time to prepare for the wild and wonderful eMzantsi primary schools programme which is taking place in Terms 3 and 4 ahead of the eMzantsi Carnival on Saturday 4th December. Jungle people Vincent Meyburgh, Lorraine Tanner, Unathi Speelman, Mfundo Hashe, Nimray Kruger and Ntombi Mkhasibe recently took part in an extremely valuable diversity training day hosted by the eMzantsi team with other schools programme partners Red Zebra and Junk- a-New. •Father Sun will be touring 25 schools this year as part of City of Cape Town Disaster Risk Management Climate Change and Energy programme in July and August. This year Jungle Theatre Company will also be touring high schools as part of the outreach education drive. | 
Jungle Theatre Company 
