ARROWSA Bechet

ARROWSA’s main arts for social change project is based at Bechet High School, Sydenham Durban. This programme known as ARROWSA Bechet is led by Mr Bheki Dlamini and includes weekly after school sessions. In the sessions the process and product are given equal importance. The youth (ranging from approximately 14 to 18 years old) participate in drama-for-social change exercises that focus on personal change and learn performing and visual arts skills. ARROWSA Bechet is one of Indra’s partners and participates in arts, culture and heritage for social change international exchange with Indra hubs throughout the world. ARROWSA Bechet presents at least one public applied theatre performance for the community per year (for example see Arts and Mental Calmness community performance). The level of skills learnt in the sessions is evidenced by the number of ARROWSA Bechet alumni who have gone on to pursue internships in performance e.g. at South Roots International and/or to become professional performers or presenters. The National Arts Council of South Africa has funded a number of ARROWSA projects for example see Arts for Mental Calmness workshops. These include ARROWSA Bechet in the 2020-2021 South to North, Climate Change and SAUKINIDA, clothes, cultural identity and gender based violence projects funded by NAC and Phone call to the World project funded by British Council that includes They stand their ground against gender-based-violence project in 2021-2022. (for example, see They stand their ground exhibition videos ).