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Galeshewe Theatre Organisation

Sense of Self, Sense of Other, Social Inclusion, Social Cohesion

Phokwane Chronicles was launched at the National Arts Festival in 2018 and was awarded with a Standard Bank Ovation Award for Excellence.


Twice (1878 and 1897), the small community of Phokwane, armed with a few guns rose up against the Cape Colonial power. When it was over, Phokwane was razed to the ground and 15 of the so-called “Ring- Leaders”, including Kgosi Galeshewe stood trial for their part in the rebellion. Facing the death sentence, Galeshewe shocked both the Colonial Empire as well as the public when he pleaded guilty to the murder of the Broome family and to the charges of sedition. This however was his strategy for defense. He and the Batlhaping nation he represented did not recognize the action of the Colonial Empire in taking control of the land the Batlhaping occupied, with Galeshewe rejecting the Colonial narrative that he had signed papers to this effect. His love for his people, and his recognition of the need to stand up to injustice at all costs, underpins the respect still accorded to the legacy of Kgosi Galeshewe today. Through music, dance and utilizing an experimental format, ‘Phokwane Chronicles’ opens the space for the exploration of knowledge, culture, leadership and history.

Mission

Focus on restoring the pride and dignity of communities of and associated with the Northern Cape in their history, heritage and sense of belonging.

Mission

Build the capacity and provide opportunities for the Northern Cape, Regional and SADC-based youths in particular to contribute meaningfully towards social and economic inclusion, social justice, nation building and social cohesion in their communities through skills transferal, mentoring, programmes and specialized interventions providing access to mainstream economies, networks and opportunities.

Mission

Facilitate a growing conversation and development focus around what the Arts contribute to socio-economic and socio-cultural change and development.
The Galeshewe Theatre Organisation (GATO) was established in 2009 and formally registered in the Northern Cape Province of South Africa as a Not-For-Profit Company in 2010.
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EDUCATION & SKILLS

Artists in Schools Programme

The Artists-in-Schools (AiS) Programme is a national arts development programme funded by the Department of Arts and Culture and implemented through various arts organisations and institutions nationally.
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Skills Development & Mentoring

From its own experience over the past several years as well as from observations of some of the challenges facing the performing arts sector, GATO has realised the need to implement a mentoring programme which will ensure that once GATO has completed its process of work and development within a community, that a new performing arts company or organisation is able to be set up and assisted in development in order to continue with arts transformation and socio-economic development purposes in communities.
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Kgosi Galeshewe

Galeshewe, a township in the City of Kimberley, and which was named in honour of the legacy of Kgosi Galeshewe, has historically been recognised not only as part of South Africa’s earliest industrial node, but also as a significant socio-cultural development node for the Northern Cape Province as well as South Africa. With this geographic area having been host to leaders and innovators from across the social, cultural and political spectra including Kgosi Galeshewe, Sol. T. Plaatje, Charlotte Maxeke, Frances Baard, Benny Alexander, Gideon Nxumalo, Z.K. Mathews, Robert Sobukwe, Zeph Mothopeng, Aggrey Klaaste and the like; for many Black South Africans in particular, Galeshewe has represented a place of excellence whether it be in education, politics, in critical thinking or in arts and culture.

Telling Our Stories

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