“Sex Actually”gets off to a spectacular start
August 23, 2010 – It was a night of the stars – and lots of sex, too – as the loud, vivacious “sex symbol” and drag queen, Miss Diversity, wowed the crowd that braved the slight Joburg chill to attend the official opening of the 2010 Drama For Life Festival.
The event took place on the roof of the Wits University TV department – a setting that was nothing but spectacular. Event emcee Miss Diversity, from the highly acclaimed show, ID Pending, was at her usual best, dishing out “sex talk” and sensual moves with the backing of her troupe of dancers, who were all dressed to kill.
The night started off with SKY Gumboot Dancers from Kliptown, Soweto, giving it their all in highly energetic, well-choreographed and entertaining gumboot dance pieces that were accompanied by humorous, catchy songs and vigorous clapping. The young men from Soweto proved that they are truly a force to be reckoned with, leaving the guests wanting more.
In his opening address, Drama for Life Director Warren Nebe highlighted the importance of this year’s festival, themed “Sex Actually”, and what it means to Drama for Life. He thanked all the partners and sponsors, including the Goethe-Institut and the President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief, for making the night possible through their generosity. He also acknowledged special guests, such as renowned journalist Adrienne Sichel and Justice Edwin Cameron.
Next up was Pholokgolo Ramothwala. The HIV-positive AIDS activist and personality gave a moving and inspiring account of how he has lived with HIV for the past 12 years.
Ramothwala said if he had not revealed his HIV status in his speech, many of those he had spoken to, and shared food and laughed with during the DFL opening would never have known that he was HIV-positive. He hoped that, in talking openly about his status, he would encourage those still afraid of testing or disclosing their status for fear of stigma or what their family and friends would say about them. He went on to say that HIV-positive people were the same as everybody else, and should not be discriminated against because of their status.
It was refreshing, humbling, challenging and inspiring to hear “Pholo”, as he is affectionately known, speak with such courage as he challenged those who do not know their HIV status to get tested.
Next to speak was Constitutional Court Justice Edwin Cameron, who is also HIV-positive. Cameron said the Drama for Life Festival was an important platform for discussion and engagement on how HIV affects our lives, either as infected or affected people. Cameron went on to say that the theme for this year’s festival was more than appropriate, because we need to acknowledge the role of sex in its various forms, and between homosexual, heterosexual and bisexual people, so that we can interrogate ourselves and our sexuality in relation to the HIV pandemic.
Later, comedian and singer Deep Fried Man gave renditions of his experiences of sex in song. His humorous take on the subject gave guests and scholars the opportunity to reflect on their own attitudes and prejudices concerning issues of sex, love and relationships.
The evening ended with a performance of PJ Sabbagha’s Deep Night, featuring renowned dance icon Dada Masilo.
The Drama for Live Festival opening was a great evening of food, wine, dance, talk and sex. As the festival continues for the rest of the week, it will no doubt be even more exciting and engaging, with numerous shows, exhibitions and workshops planned – all to do with sex, actually.
By Tonderai Cosmas Chiyindiko, MADA 2010 Scholar and DFL Festival Blogger-in-Residence