2014 | 2013 |2012 | 2011 | 2010 | 2009 |
Mapiko crew at start of process in August: back l to r: Sandise (driver) Jean, Wesley, Justin, Sidney, Shaun, Yandiswa, Lisa, Eva, Emmanuel, Thandi, Zolani front l to r: Trigga, Samson, Prosper Absent: Gabriel, Steven, Monique
We are very proud of the achievements of the mapiko crew in 2010. Building on the foundations laid down in 2009, confidence and capacity grew exponentially as their skills and teamwork improved with double the amount of training time this year.
The 2010 main construction period was longer – 6 weeks instead of one month – and started earlier, which meant that the giant Ubuntu puppets for the Step Up story were ready in good time for promotions from September, a magnificent achievement.
 |
 |
 |
| week one: research and design | ||
 |
 |
 |
| week three: construction underway | ||
 |
 |
 |
 |
| Emmanuel with Slangvanger, Gabriel and Thandi with Makhulu, Jean and Yandiswa working on the Bride | |||
 |
 |
 |
 |
In addition to the giant puppets for the Carnival story, mapiko crew members also initiated a drum-making process that allowed us to make rather than buy instruments needed for the music programme bloco. This was a win-win situation, both building capacity and keeping the cash in the local economy! The drum-building team of Emmanuel, Samson and Kenny have already been commissioned to make more.
 |
 |
 |
 |
| Emmanuel | Samson | Kenny welding | finished drums |
During October they spent another month producing hats and small costume pieces for various participant groups including the primary schools.
 |
 |
| Mapiko crew in October: back l to r: Kenny, Gabriel, Samson, Zolani, Emmanuel, Trigga, front: Yandi, Prosper, Sidney, Shaun, Jean and Justin. Painter Lisa. Absent: Wesley, Marius, Thandi | |
 |
 |
 |
 |
| Sidney with drums and hats | the palanquin to carry the Ruby Heart | ||
 |
 |
 |
| Emmanuel working on the Ruby Heart | Jean and Trigga making costumes | |
Throughout November, following advertising in the local press, eMzantsi hosted 10 free public workshops for different youth groups who came and made their costumes with help from the mapiko crew. Most rewarding were the twinned pre-primary school groups who came together with eMzantsi encouragement to make Carnival hats.
 |
 |
 |
| Fish Hoek Pre-Primary and Masakhane Educare, Masiphumelele had two joint workshops. Enchanted Garden Preschool, Noordhoek and Mountain View Educare, Ocean View also took part. |
||
Public Costume Making
In 2010, we offered four free costume-making workshops to the public outside the eMzantsi office on Saturdays mornings in November leading up to carnival. This was successful in targeting families across communities who then brought their children to participate in the parade.
 |
 |
 |
| Public costume-making workshops outside the eMzantsi office in November | ||