Guild Theatre, Artist in Residence Programme

𝐁𝐎𝐎𝐊𝐄𝐃 & 𝐁𝐔𝐒𝐘

The Help Desk celebrates former AIS Facilitator Xolisa Kapakati and founding member of iKAH, as he presents 𝐔𝐊𝐎𝐍𝐆𝐀 — a compelling new theatre production inspired by the book 𝐀 𝐁𝐨𝐥𝐝 𝐏𝐫𝐨𝐟𝐞𝐬𝐬𝐢𝐨𝐧
by Professor Leslie Hadfield at the upcoming Umtiza Arts Festival

The production explores the lives and experiences of Black nurses who served rural communities in Ciskei during Apartheid from the 1960s to the 1980s. Through dramatic storytelling and choreography, 𝐔𝐊𝐎𝐍𝐆𝐀 celebrates the resilience, dignity, and humanity of women who worked tirelessly within the healthcare profession during one of South Africa’s most challenging historical periods.

Directed by ngu-X and choreographed by Thandiwe Mqokeli, the production continues a strong tradition of socially conscious Eastern Cape storytelling.

📍 Steve Biko Centre, Qonce
📅 28 – 30 May 2026

Please follow thier Facebook https://www.facebook.com/share/1KsPWG5Uc8/

🎟 Tickets available via Webtickets.
https://www.webtickets.co.za/v2/event.aspx?itemid=1594200788

Uncuthu Lwencwadi Book Fair 📚

Join us for a day of stories, authors, workshops, and bookish good vibes. Whether you're a writer, reader, or just love a good story, we've got you covered!

Let's meet on the 7th of March 2026 at the Cortex Hub.

We are excited to announce that Department of Sport, Arts and Culture will be hosting the Schools Arts Championships a fun-filled two-day showcase of 𝐌𝐮𝐬𝐢𝐜, 𝐃𝐚𝐧𝐜𝐞, 𝐕𝐢𝐬𝐮𝐚𝐥 𝐀𝐫𝐭𝐬, 𝐏𝐨𝐞𝐭𝐫𝐲 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐓𝐡𝐞𝐚𝐭𝐫𝐞.
The event takes place on 20–21 November 2025 at the East London Guild Theatre.

𝐏𝐥𝐞𝐚𝐬𝐞 𝐧𝐨𝐭𝐞: 𝐄𝐧𝐭𝐫𝐢𝐞𝐬 𝐚𝐫𝐞 𝐧𝐨𝐰 𝐜𝐥𝐨𝐬𝐞𝐝.
Day 1: No audience allowed as the venue is fully booked.
Day 2: Limited space is available for audience attendance.

More details on the poster.

Also note that Dumza Maswana is not part of the festival, the image used is from the 2025 Provincial Festival.

❗️𝐈𝐦𝐩𝐨𝐫𝐭𝐚𝐧𝐭 𝐀𝐧𝐧𝐨𝐮𝐧𝐜𝐞𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭❗️

After a powerful and purposeful journey, we officially mark the end of the Artists in Schools (AIS) Program — a decade-long initiative that brought professional artists into schools and communities across the province to ignite creativity, culture, and learning.

🙏 We extend our deepest gratitude to our sponsors Department of Sport, Arts and Culture Department of Sport, Recreation, Arts and Culture East London Guild Theatre , all the schools and principals who welcomed us, and most importantly, the incredible artists who gave their time, passion, and talent to teaching and inspiring thousands of learners.

This program was implemented for 10 years with integrity, transparency, and commitment to arts education and youth development. As this chapter ends, we are proud of the legacy it leaves behind.

📍Moving forward, this page will transition into the 𝐄𝐚𝐬𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐧 𝐂𝐚𝐩𝐞 𝐀𝐫𝐭𝐬 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐌𝐞𝐝𝐢𝐚 𝐇𝐞𝐥𝐩 𝐃𝐞𝐬𝐤
— a space dedicated to supporting local creatives and organisations with services like:

𝐏𝐫𝐨𝐩𝐨𝐬𝐚𝐥 𝐰𝐫𝐢𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠

𝐏𝐑 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐦𝐞𝐝𝐢𝐚 𝐬𝐮𝐩𝐩𝐨𝐫𝐭

𝐅𝐮𝐧𝐝𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐠𝐮𝐢𝐝𝐚𝐧𝐜𝐞

𝐂𝐨𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐝𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐥𝐨𝐩𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭

𝐏𝐫𝐨𝐣𝐞𝐜𝐭 𝐬𝐮𝐩𝐩𝐨𝐫𝐭 & 𝐚𝐝𝐦𝐢𝐧 𝐡𝐞𝐥𝐩

Thank you for being part of the AIS journey.
Let’s keep growing the Eastern Cape creative economy, together.

🚨𝐀𝐈𝐒 𝐏𝐞𝐫𝐟𝐨𝐫𝐦𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐕𝐢𝐬𝐮𝐚𝐥 𝐀𝐫𝐭𝐬 𝐅𝐞𝐬𝐭𝐢𝐯𝐚𝐥 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟓🚨

You are all invited to the Artists in Schools Performing and Visual Arts Festival 2025, which will be taking place at the East London Guild Theatre on 26th of February 2025.

The Festival will be jam packed with;

👉Drama performances that will leave you spellbound! 📚
👉Dance routines that will get you moving! 💃
👉Music performances that will soothe your soul! 🎵
👉Exhibitions showcasing incredible visual art! 🎨

And many more exciting performances and displays! 🤩

Best of all? ENTRY IS FREE! 🎁

Don't miss out on this incredible opportunity to experience the best of provincial talent! Mark your calendars and book your seats as soon as possible because seats are limited.

PS: schools are welcome to come and join the celebration of giftedness..

We can't wait to see you there! ❤

🚨𝐀𝐥𝐢𝐜𝐞 𝐈𝐧 𝐖𝐨𝐧𝐝𝐞𝐫𝐥𝐚𝐧𝐝!!🚨

It is time for our final production of the year and we can't wait to share it with you. Join us for an experience of entertainment, laughter and inspiration as we bring the curtain down on an amazing year. This spectacular show promises to be an unforgettable experience, featuring talented artists, stunning sets and heartwarming moments.

Alice in Wonderland. The Wêla Kapela Productions / East London Guild Theatre family end-of-year pantomime for 2024 is based on the Lewis Carroll classic, Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland. The tale is full of riddles and conundrums accessible to both adult and children readers and is one of the best examples of the literary nonsense genre of its time. An array of quotes from Alice have become absorbed into popular parlance. Some of the best loved quotes include: “Why, sometimes I’ve believed as many as six impossible things before breakfast”; “Curiouser and curiouser!” and “We’re all mad here.”

Tickets are still available, but hurry! Grab yours now before they sell out and secure your spot to be a part of this special production!

Wishing you and yours a joyous festive season filled with love, laughter and all your favorite traditions. We're closing our doors for the year, but we can't wait to welcome you back again next year! Until then, stay merry and bright!

The Maclear Children's Theatre Festival was an incredible success! Huge thanks to the Department of Sport, Recreation, Arts and Culture for their ongoing support, the Daily Dispatch for coverage and Sino Majangaza for capturing the magic.

WATCH | The Guild Theatre, in partnership with the provincial and national departments of arts and culture and Elundini local municipality, hosted a two-day Artists in Schools programme in Nqanqarhu (Maclear) from Wednesday to Thursday. Video: SINO MAJANGAZA

🚨𝐈𝐧𝐝𝐢𝐠𝐞𝐧𝐨𝐮𝐬 𝐈𝐧𝐬𝐭𝐫𝐮𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐌𝐚𝐤𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐏𝐨𝐥𝐢𝐜𝐲 𝐃𝐢𝐬𝐜𝐮𝐬𝐬𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐖𝐨𝐫𝐤𝐬𝐡𝐨𝐩🚨

A vibrant and meaningful workshop celebrating Indigenous music instrument making, and policy discussion was recently held at the Umtata Arts Centre. The event was proudly funded by the Department of Sport, Recreation, Arts and Culture.

The workshop also served as a tribute to the late legendary Dr Latozi Madosini Mpahlani, a renowned Indigenous musician who was posthumously awarded the prestigious Ikhamanga Award. The workshop was intergenerational and brought together musicians, instrument makers, policymakers, and community members to share knowledge, skills, and experiences.

During the workshop, participants engaged in hands-on instrument-making sessions, learning about the traditional craftsmanship and cultural significance of Indigenous instruments. They also participated in lively music sessions, showcasing the diversity and richness of Indigenous music.

The workshop was a resounding success, fostering connections, creativity, and a deeper appreciation for Indigenous cultural heritage. The Department of Sport, Recreation, Arts and Culture's support for this initiative demonstrates their commitment to promoting diversity, inclusivity, and cultural preservation.

As we celebrate the life and legacy of mam'uMadosini, we honor her contributions to Indigenous music and cultural heritage. This workshop serves as a testament to the enduring power of music and culture to bring people together, inspire creativity, and promote cross-cultural understanding.

🎭𝐌𝐚𝐜𝐥𝐞𝐚𝐫 𝐂𝐡𝐢𝐥𝐝𝐫𝐞𝐧'𝐬 𝐓𝐡𝐞𝐚𝐭𝐫𝐞 𝐅𝐞𝐬𝐭𝐢𝐯𝐚𝐥 🎨

The Maclear Children's Theatre Festival is in full swing, and it's a true celebration of creativity, talent, and community! This beautiful event brings together young people from all over the Eastern Cape to showcase their skills, build confidence, and have an absolute blast.

Today marks Day 2 of the festival and the youth will take center stage, sharing their stories, songs, and dances with the audience. It's going to be an unforgettable experience!

We wouldn't be able to make this amazing event happen without the support of our incredible trustees. A huge thank you to:

The Municipality of Elundini
The National Department of Sport, Arts and Culture
The Department of Sport, Recreation, Arts and Culture

Your contributions have been instrumental in helping us bring this festival to life. We're grateful for your belief in the power of arts education and community development.

Let's keep celebrating the creativity and talent of our young people!

🚨𝐌𝐞𝐞𝐭 𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐀𝐫𝐭𝐢𝐬𝐭𝐬! 🚨

Ongesizwe Zintathu Jubase was born in Qumbu and matriculated at Joubert Ludidi Comprehensive High School. She went on to graduate with a degree in Fine Arts from Walter Sisulu University in 2008. After completing her studies, Ongesizwe gained valuable experience as an intern at the East London Museum's art department in 2009, where she worked as a display artist. She has also showcased her artwork at several prominent festivals, including the "Isingqi sethu Cultural Festival in Port St Johns, where she highlighted the cultural custom of "Intonjane." Additionally, she exhibited at the Grahamstown National Arts Festival.

In 2012, she was one of five artists selected for the Nelson Mandela Museum's arts incubator programme in Qunu, which she participated in for eight months. The following year, she was chosen by the Department of Sport, Recreation, Arts, and Culture to serve as a visual arts facilitator at the Mtata Arts Centre. In this role, she facilitated arts programs in various schools throughout the O.R. Tambo region. For several years, Ongesizwe has also worked with special schools, sharing her expertise and passion for the arts with students with diverse needs. This experience has not only honed her skills as an educator but also deepened her understanding of the transformative power of art.

Since 2014, she facilitated creative arts and life skills in schools around Qumbu. She has collaborated with the Department of Education as an adjudicator during arts festivals in the O.R Tambo District. Currently, she is pursuing a Postgraduate Certificate in Education, majoring in Creative Arts and Life Orientation, through the University of South Africa (UNISA). In addition to her teaching and artistic pursuits, Ongesizwe is a self-taught graphic designer and operates a small business designing birthday cards, invitations, graduation certificates, and other materials. She has also established a traditional dance group in her community, which performs at various events. Ongesizwe's outstanding work has earned her several awards and nominations. She won the provincial-level award for Best School in Visual Art with Mhlontlo Community College and was nominated as the Best Creative Arts Facilitator in the Qumbu district.

We are delighted to have Ongesizwe as part of the Artists in Schools Programme! Her wealth of experience, passion for arts education, and dedication to empowering young minds make her a valuable asset to our team.