This post is dedicated to the life and memory of my friend Peter Ngwenya, who passed away recently. Peter was a remarkable man in many ways. He was above all a South African, who dedicated his life to transformation and development. His passion for supporting the growth and development of young people through theatre was unmatched, and the work he did through the Soweto Youth Drama Society was inspirational. He later changed the name to The Youth Drama Society, as he did not want to limit involvement of young people from other township areas.
Peter was warm, funny, deeply caring, and incredibly loyal to those he loved. He carried a lifelong intrigue for all people, especially from other cultures and across boundaries. From the township, he loved to visit the suburbs. He walked a global stage, but stayed rooted in Soweto. He embraced the new South Africa, while often frustrated and mystified by its bureaucracies, and was always open to learning. Above all he reached out to people and was a human being.
Hamba kahle Bra Peter.
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2 comments:
Hamba Kahle Bra Peter Indeed!Your Legacy Live on>>>
Thanks to technology really-I came across your blog whilst trying to locate Bra Peter on the Social Platform!I was on a mission to locate him and tap on his recent work,It's sad that he is no more.Some graves are rich really,but Death be not proud!
I last interacted with Bra Peter in 1996 after the car accident we had on our way to a June 16 Commemoration event at the Market Theatre.This accident occured at the parking out side the Market Theatre,this is prior to the renovations.At the time Bra Peter was our Creative Director at the (JEP)Joint Enrichment Project and to date I'm still saddened because our relationship with Bra Peter was cut untimely,sudden and abruptly so.A number of the JEP Drama members were seriously injured from the car accident and as a result the group was automatically dissolved.It was a difficult time for the group and for a brief period after the accident he focused on assisting us with following up on the RAF claims and organising RAF Claim attorneys for us.This relationship just fizzled out from there but I guess he had done all he had to do with us and maybe sense informed him not to return to the Orlando West High School,JEP Drama Group under the circumstance.Personally that was the last I heard of him.
Son of the soil!Your determination to change our society through the arts and belief in our innate talent,dedication to the cause,creativity and leadership will be sorely missed!
I really am grateful to the blogowner for this blog!!!An angel from above to deliver the news,although one would have preferred other news.How would I have known that Bra Peter is no longer of this world but only his work?I was even assured by the picture that this is none other than the person I'm searching for?
Rest in Peace Bra Peter!
Thanks to the owner of this page Bra Peter as we knew him in Rockville and White City. He was determined to change lives of black people through arts.I remember at the time we also had youth groups that were also trying to take the youth away from the streets and we concentrated on other forms of art besides drama. Our youth clubs (founded by me and my friends) were in Soweto based at Regina Mundi (Remucyl) and St Mathews Roman Catholic School (Youth in Harmony). He was happy that we were also doing this and would greet us whenever we met and we would stand there talking about the progress and challenges we encouter and he would gladly give us advice.
During our times as a youth we faced a lot of challenges from the political youth groups as they were of the idea that we were funded by the state or overseas donors who had alterior motives using us for their gains. Bra Peter would speak to us about these situations and would advice of what we need to do when we face such. He touched so many of our lives and we are thankful to God for his life.
As one of the former leaders of the above youth groups I would like to say my farewell to the greatest sons of art in Soweto. "Bra Peter what you did for us as young people and the advice you gave us still helps us to navigate through this life as adults. Your words have not fallen on the ground but are helping to make us better parents today. Your legacy lives on Bra Peter to us you remain our hero the landscape is different but another one like you will be given to the people of Soweto by the almighty."
Rest in Peace Bra Peter December 2016-12-27
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