South Africa Project Celebrates New Traditions
By Julyssa Lopez
When 20-year-old Solomen Mpho Papo auditioned for the Bokamoso Youth Centre’s annual American tour, he knew how much competition he was up against. More than 40 young South Africans try out for a chance to perform in the United States, and only a lucky 12 are selected.
The final group gets to spend three weeks singing and dancing at the St. Andrew’s Episcopal School in Maryland, and then they arrive at the George Washington University for a week-long residency, where they live in residence halls and participate in a musical directed by Professor of Theatre Leslie Jacobson.
The performance has become a tradition at the university, and 2016 marks its 13th anniversary. It’s also a massive hit every year. When the Bokamoso youth are onstage, it’s hard to believe they aren’t professionally trained singers and dancers. But their effortless harmonies are raw talent, and their strong, sweeping voices are muscles exercised primarily through local traditions.