Lunchbox Theatre uses the fun medium of live theatre shows focused on environmental and social education to teach the youth about important life skills
Meet one of our favourite actors, Nkosinathi Xipula who is delighted to be part of the Lunchbox Theatre troupe because children learn from the shows he acts in because they are having so much fun! He is skilled at comedy while conveying serious messages about saving water in the Last Drop Show or appreciating the environment through the Tree Show or guiding youngsters to avoid contracting AIDS through Thand’ Impilo or teaching them about their rights through iLifa he knows how to put the fun into learning.
Nkosinathi means ‘Gift of God’ and that is what this young man is to Lunchbox Theatre. Born to the Xipula family and growing up in a time of great change – the 90’s – in Kwano Kuthula, Plettenberg Bay, he is familiar with finding balance within opposing forces so that they stop confronting and start complementing each other. This makes him an invaluable actor as well as superb teacher. He thoroughly enjoys coaching children through Lunchbox Theatre’s After Schools Activities Program (ASAP).
Nko loves the fact that live theatre shows give him and ASAP children in his care opportunities to explore, discuss and deal with difficult issues and to express their emotions in a supportive environment. It is in effect a healing process which bodes well for the future.
Together he and those in his care explore their own cultural values and those of others, past and present. They learn how to think and act creatively. While having fun it is easy to develop critical thinking and problem-solving skills that enhances their lives in all areas of learning. This gives Nko the opportunity to take a more open-ended approach, concentrating on the process of learning through ‘play’. He just wishes there was more funding to involve more children.
It is also hugely fulfilling to Nkho that the child audiences of the shows he acts in are encouraged to take responsible roles and make good, sustainable choices. If he had a theme song it would be” What have you done to make you feel proud” and the answer would be … “fulfilling my calling of changing the world one child at a time’.
His philosophy is “If you are the best that you can be. If you do, have and live in a way that is in harmony with the Greater Good, if you harmonise physically here in your body with what you believe to be a good way of life and if you take action which makes you feel good, you will always be moving along the path in harmony with the good.”
It could make you feel good to click on the Donate button on www.lunchbox.org.za and help Nkosinathi Xipula to change the world, one child at a time. Then you can join this Gift of God make “What have you done today to make you feel proud?” your theme song as well.