Thursday 2 June 2011




















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Pelepele Cultural Group


 
 Started in 2003 by Larry Mhlanga in Swaziland Mbabane as Swazi Marimba the then “PELEPELE” literally translated as “CHILLI- hot” is a multidisciplinary music and dance production that brings together various art forms including the Theatre, Dance, Music, Film, the production comprise of a cast of 30 Swazi dancers, singers, indigenous musicians, and drummers a unique music and dance group in the Kingdom of Swaziland in the Southern African region. It is easier to describe “PELEPELE” as an “African” than to pin them down to national boundaries.
PELEPELE Cultural group is gifted with multi-colored, powerful cultural dances, intrepid voice and a talent for writing songs, creating dances that reflect on the daily life and unique culture of the people of our homeland, Swaziland. PELEPELE is one of Swaziland's greatest cultural performing artists. Their blending of Southern African traditions, including mbira, sitolotolo, Marimba, Makhoyane and the traditional drumming styles Djembe drumming & ngoma drumming, has created such a unique sound that is appreciated by audiences of different races.

PELEPELE is one of the few genuine innovators on the Swazi music & dance scene that will be instrumental in strengthening not only Swaziland but also Africa’s pride, socially, culturally, politically, and economically. So too with the performing Arts, dance and music of this multi-instrumentals, which draws on influences including the unique Swazi cultures, and other world acclaimed groups like Adzidzo Pan African Dance. PELEPELE’s music and dance seeks to ensure that an essential part of our cultural heritage does not fall victim to historical neglect. Our mission is to establish PELEPELE and deliver him back to the world a leading African performing arts centre. One of our major objectives is to respond to the global changing situation and African growth challenges. PELEPELE is a mouthpiece of the poor, orphaned, CULTURAL ACTIVISTS, AIDS victims and under-privileged, with a message of HOPE and of “Acting today preserving our culture to preserve our future”.
The group has produced a number of stage and public productions also has been booked in a number of coperate, national and international festival and events which inlcudes;



A)     2003  In conjunction with Pom-Pom Likusasa Ngelami Project, Performances in 150 High Schools funded by NERCHA
B)      WesBank – House on Fire
C)      Plascon paints – House on Fire
D)     The launch of SHAPmos-a monitoring system by NERCHA
E)      HAPAC
F)      Africa Statistics Day
G)     Swaziland Environment Authority (World Aids Day) 2010
H)     Traveled to Taiwan with His Majesty King Mswati 111 2007
I)        Swaziland Beverages(World Aids Day) 2010
J)       World Cricket Finals 2010
K)      World Cup Trophy Tour 2010
L)       SWAGAA-Celebration of 15 years
M)   Inyoka Makhanda 2008
N)     FLAS Workshops 2008
O)     Film Workshop In South Africa 2009
P)      Umhlanga Ceremony 2010
Q)     Africa Dance festival Kenya 2010
R)      World Aids Day Celebration 2010
S)      PSI Trust Studded 10th Anniversary 2010
T)      World Cup (fan Parks) 2010
U)     Getmed Road shows (Drama – Edutainment 20 shows) 2011
V)     CMAC/Judiciary road Shows (Dance Drama – Edutainment 12 shows) 2011
W)   Dups Insurance Road shows (Dance Drama – Edutainment 15 shows) 2011
X)      Registrar of Insurance & Retirement fund (Drama - Edutainment) 2011
Y)      MTN Mobile Money Campaign (Drama – Edutainment Ongoing) 2011
Z)      Bushfire International festival 2011

Friday 27 May 2011


Tittle Of Project:   ‘EKASI’

‘Ekasi’ is a 45 minute dance production highlighting a synergy of contemporary dances from the townships of Southern Africa.


Cast: 4 dancers, all male teenagers

Ekasi tells the story of 4 boys born in different countries in Southern Africa, but who share the same vision, to be part of a cross border high energy dance extravaganza that tells the universal story of hope for youth born from frustration and deprivation.  The boys are from the townships of Zimbabwe, Swaziland, Botswana and South Africa, the home of the pantsula dance, which forms the core of the production.