Khuluma Afrika (Speak Africa)

Khuluma Afrika! tells the story of two Mozambican sisters, drawn to South Africa by false promises of a better life. The two become victims of human trafficking. Separated, desperate and exploited, the two girls seek solace in letters to one another that express their hardships, hopes and dreams of home.

The story aims to raise awareness about counter trafficking, make people aware of the IOM hotline number, and aims to encourage people and whistleblowers to report trafficking and seek help. Performed in Portuguese, with some dialogue in Shangaan, English, and isiZulu, the main drama is accompanied by comedy skits that talk about life in the mines, being far from home and migration. Though the production focuses on trafficking and migration, it incorporates a variety of related issues such as women’s rights, gender and migration and HIV/AIDS.

The first stage of the message development strategy involved planning with CMFD, IOM, and key members of the Alertas Da Vida group. Since the strategy was to create awareness and encourage whistleblowers, the production was not only intended for potential victims, but also for potential whistleblowers and people who may be willing or able to help someone in trouble. As victims of trafficking are difficult to access, the intended audience therefore also included people who have been or know people who have been tricked or misled; people or service providers in mining or migrant communities; people working in churches, shops, hairdressers; miners; urban brothels and sex workers; and people involved in transport.

In order to reach this intended audience, the organisers believed that it was necessary to bring the production into safe, often frequented spaces such as churches, clinics, bus or taxi ranks, mining hostels, night clubs, and public spaces in inner-city Johannesburg and mining communities.

According to the organisers, participatory theatre was chosen for the Khuluma Afrika! project for several reasons. By having the cast members involved in the production from script development through to performance, it allowed them understand the issues they were dealing with and the reality behind the story they were telling. Also, as the production’s main focus is on migrant communities, who often have low literacy levels, the use of a visual imagery and storytelling, allows Khuluma Afrika! to effectively communication messages without relying on audiences being literate. In addition, post- performance discussions gives audiences the choice to respond to the show in a format they are most comfortable with.

Each performance, where possible, is followed by a discussion and information materials about human trafficking are handed out to audience members and passers-by.

Gender, Rights, HIV/AIDS.