These activities are designed to stimulate the creativity of learners and are also relevant to the Dramatic Arts and English Home Language Curricula. The activities can be undertaken by both Grade 11 and Grade 12 learners, except where specifically indicated otherwise.
1. Research Projects and Ideas for Group Work
a)This project should be conducted under the supervision of teachers and/or parents. The specific play which has reference in this project is Spice ’n Stuff. Work as individuals or in groups of four learners.
Conduct a site inspection of a spice shop in any mall and then of a spice shop in Grey Street/Yusuf Dadoo Street (or a spice shop in your local town). Compare and contrast the two shops in respect of the different physical locations; the design and layout; the atmosphere; the potential for bargaining; the attitude of staff and general customer relations. How did you ultimately feel about both experiences? Do your findings and feelings have any implications in terms of your understanding of the changes depicted in the play and of the main characters?
b)The specific plays which have reference in this activity are Spice ’n Stuff and Beyond the Big Bangs. Work as individuals.
These two plays present the evolving roles of women in society. Bearing this in mind, interview three women in your family or neighborhood from different generations, namely a teenager, a middle-aged woman and an elderly woman about their views of the role of women in society. Write a report on the viewpoints of your family members and compare and contrast it to the challenges faced by the female characters in the above mentioned plays.
c)The specific play which has reference in this project is Reoca Light. Work as individuals.
This play examines the tradition of storytelling and the value it has in shaping ideology. Speak to your parents/caregivers/grandparents and ask them to tell you a family story which has helped to shape your values. Write an essay which describes this growth process.
d)The specific plays which have reference in this activity are To House, Duped, and Beyond the Big Bangs. Work in groups of 4.
The central characters in these plays come from different racial classifications. Complete a poster which captures the similarities between the different race groups living in South Africa and how this contributes to a shared South African identity.
e)The specific play which has reference in this project is Reoca Light. Work in pairs.
Find out as much as you can from a variety of sources about the first indentured labourers to arrive in Natal in the 1860s. You may consult books, both non-fiction and fiction, journal articles, electronic media and conduct interviews with relatives, friends and neighbours. Briefly record your main findings. Consider the following questions to help you shape the focus of your research:
•What were the names of the first two ships to carry the indentured labourers to Natal?
•Why did these people come to Natal?
•Did they have false expectations of the jobs they were going to do and the place in which they were going to be living?
•Could they be considered employees of the British Government or independent contractors or slaves? Explain.
•Try to find documentation which traces the history of some indentured labourers’ families from the 1860s to current day.
f)The specific play which has reference for this activity is Duped. Work in groups of 5.
•Carefully read the recommended set design for Duped and look at the sketch of the stage layout. What are some of the African sculptures and crafts that you would use on the Airship? Perhaps you would not be so realistic and in fact construct an expressionist set. What is an expressionist set? Consider how you would construct such a set for Duped.
•Explain what costume choices you would make for each character.
•Make a list of all the props required in the play and indicate whether you would add any more.
g)The specific plays which have reference for this project are Duped and To House. Work in groups of 4.
Whenever you read a newspaper there is always at least one story about a government official who has committed theft or fraud or who is being investigated for corruption or nepotism. Discuss this in your groups and consider ways to combat these problems. Also, consider some of the major successes of the current government, whether at national, provincial or local level. Summarise your discussions and present this to your class.
2. Essay Topics
(Note to Teacher: these topics could be used for Grade 12 Portfolio Assessment.)
The topics below require you to write discursive, argumentative and reflective essays. A discursive essay is objective and requires you to consider and present arguments for both sides of the topic. An argumentative essay is subjective and requires you to explore only one side of the topic, trying to persuade the reader to share your opinion. A reflective essay is subjective and requires you to explore your opinions and feelings.
These essays are based on the themes in each play.
To House
a)One of the themes explored in To House is the diminishing belief in the modern Indian community that children should take care of their parents as their parents become older. Write an argumentative essay where you argue against this traditional belief and support the view that parents need to essentially take care of themselves, financially, physically and emotionally in their old age.
b)Racism has not disappeared in post-Apartheid South Africa, it has just become more subtle. Write a discursive essay exploring this topic.
c)“I can always retreat to and find comfort in my home.” Some of the characters in To House seem to cling to this belief. What does your home mean to you? Is it simply a physical structure to provide shelter and security or does it have a greater symbolic and emotional value? Write a reflective essay exploring the meaning of home.
Duped
a)Despite changes in legislation to provide more protection and opportunities for women in democratic South Africa, we are still living in a patriarchal society where women experience a variety of prejudices at work and in the home. Write a discursive essay on this topic, making specific reference to Captain Sandra Snyman in the play.
b)“When you become a member of parliament in South Africa, you have to sacrifice your personal ideals and simply toe the party line, even if you believe that some of your party’s policies are repressive or immoral.” Write an argumentative essay arguing against this statement.
Spice ’n Stuff
a)“Life is full of uncertainty. In order to be successful, in both our personal and professional lives, we have to be comfortable with living in uncertainty.” Write a reflective essay based on this statement.
b)“Malls offer a more complete shopping experience than the traditional family stores in the Grey Street area or the central business district in Durban.” Write a discursive essay exploring this topic.
c)“There are still too many burdens and restrictions placed on daughters-in-law by their mothers-in-law and fathers-in-law in South African families generally and the Indian community in particular.” Write an argumentative essay supporting this statement.
Reoca Light
a)“The universe is one of abundance and provides us with visible signs to guide us to a spiritual life on earth.” Write a reflective essay on this topic, irrespective of your religious convictions. Refer in your essay to Sunil’s two encounters with the “light”.
b)“South Africa should bring back the death penalty to punish repeat violent offenders.” Write a discursive essay on this topic.
Beyond the Big Bangs
a)“There is no justification for corporal punishment in South African schools.” Write a discursive essay based on this statement.
b)“There are so many old men and women who waste hours every week gambling in casinos. The reasons for this are that their families do not want to spend quality time with them and there are so few alternative forms of entertainment for old people.” Write an argumentative essay arguing against the reasons provided in the above statement to explain why so many old people gamble at casinos.
c)“I wish there was a monthly ‘Cultural Day’ in my neighbourhood. I know exactly what activities I would arrange to educate people about my culture.” Write a reflective essay based on this statement.
3. Topics for Prepared Speeches
(Note to Teacher: these topics could form part of Paper Four’s Assessment.)
To House
a)In the play Sanjay says to Jason “… there’s a clear process of racial re-classification happening at the university. Management feels that the number of Indian academics is disproportionate to the demographics of South Africa”. Prepare a speech, examining this statement and assessing the value of processes like Affirmative Action and Black Economic Empowerment in South Africa.
b)In the play Deena says to Kajol, “People are abandoning their culture”. Prepare a speech in which you evaluate whether our cultural traditions are being destroyed or abandoned by people. Are we generally becoming a more Westernised society? Cite examples from your own cultural traditions to support your arguments.
Duped
a)“We have become over-reliant on technology.” Prepare a speech in which you argue persuasively either for or against this statement.
b)“The Airship Equity has the capacity to provide detailed surveillance of ordinary people in most public places. This is an invasion of a citizen’s right to privacy by government.” Prepare a speech on the right to privacy in the context of the play.
Spice ’n Stuff
a)In the play reference is made to a significant increase in the number of Chinese and Pakistani traders operating in Grey Street. Prepare a speech in which you evaluate how government should regulate foreign traders operating in South Africa and also what processes these traders should undertake to become South African citizens, if they so wish.
b)The sale of pirated DVDs is a serious crime and should be punishable by imprisonment for the perpetrators. Prepare a speech in which you argue persuasively either for or against this statement.
Reoca Light
a)This play deals with unsung heroes. These are people who have done unselfish things to empower people but have not received any form of public recognition for this. We need more heroes and fewer celebrities. Do you agree with this? Prepare a speech where you compare and contrast the terms “heroes” and “celebrities” and clearly indicate whether you have a preference for either and why.
b)People should not marry outside of their racial or ethnic classification. It is an issue of preserving cultural traditions. Prepare a speech in which you argue persuasively either for or against this statement.
Beyond the Big Bangs
a)Domestic workers are still not adequately protected by legislation from exploitation by their employers. Prepare a speech in which you critically evaluate this statement.
b)In the play Lindiwe says to Sandra and Gita, “I was thinking… dreaming about a place where all these beautiful children, from different towns and different walks of life… could all gather to learn, and share”. Prepare a speech in which you present all the essential elements which you consider would constitute an ideal school.
(Note to Teacher: these exercises could form part of Paper 3, section B’s Assessment for the Mid-Year Exam.)
The tasks below require you to engage carefully with the text of each play. There should be no response which is longer than two handwritten pages.
To House
a)Write the formal letter that Jason might have written to his firm to explain why he committed cheque fraud and to plead against his dismissal.
b)Write the dialogue for a scene between Jason and his niece Catherine, this being the first time he approaches her to help him trap Sibusiso.
c)Write a monologue for Sibusiso where he talks to his late mother explaining why he does not want to marry in the near future.
Duped
a)Imagine that Luke Jedison disguises himself as a woman and attends a Youth League meeting chaired by Julio Masimola. Masimola discovers that it is Jedison and a heated but funny exchange ensues. Write the dialogue for this scene.
b)Write the monologue that Sandra would record as the Captain’s personal log entry after all the facts regarding the intended theft of the Airship are revealed to her and the main perpetrators have been exposed.
Spice ’n Stuff
a)Write a brief job description for Rita as the new manager of Anand’s fabric store at the Pavilion Shopping Mall.
b)Write the personal letter that Rita might have sent to Charmaine explaining why she felt she had to punish her and asking for her forgiveness.
c)In the play Rita says to Rani, “I haven’t met someone with whom I want to share my life story”. Write a poem inspired by these words.
Reoca Light
a)Write a funny exchange between Uncle Johnny and Uncle Bobby as the two old men discuss some of the eccentric characters who frequent the shop.
b)Write a poem inspired by Sunil’s experiences of the “light” in the play.
Beyond the Big Bangs
a)Assume that an opening has arisen at Woolworths for a Marketing Consultant. Write Sandra’s formal letter of application for the position.
b)Write the dialogue for a scene between Gita and loan shark Naveen Ramdhani whereby Gita offers to pay him only R1000 of the R2000 she owes him, with the rest to follow next month.
c)Write Lindiwe’s formal apology to the school for slapping Michelle Moores as part of the follow-up process to her disciplinary hearing.