Interview with Mxolisi, Umthombo Artist
Mxolisi Sithole works for Umthombo, our partner organisation in South Africa. Having completed his degree in Fine Art at the Durban University of Technology in 2007 (picking up numerous awards and prizes along the way), he began working with street children, organizing live music concerts, art exhibitions, and workshops. Alongside his work with Umthombo, he is working with us to organise the arts programme at the Street Child World Cup.
Why are art programmes important for children living on the street?
I personally think art is important for children living on the street as it works as a tool for building a relationship of trust with the children. It also works as a healing tool for them – or should I say works as therapy. It draws information from the children indirectly rather than directly, because in most cases you need a tool which helps you get the information indirectly and that is when art comes into play. And street children are just like any other children, they deserve play time and that is what the art program brings. Art also motivates and empowers the children, enabling them to identify their area of passion through art mediums.
The Street Child World Cup has an exhibition planned for Durban in March. I know that plans aren’t finalised yet, but what projects do you hope to exhibit there?
We are hoping to show case artworks which talk about the children stories. When I talk about art I’m not only referring to visual art: but looking at art as this huge embrera. Each team is going to be bringing its own artist and here in Durban we also have our own artist and different art organizations to help the children tell their stories. So we’re looking at having visual arts, perfomance/ drama, music, video, street projections on buildings next to the Durban art gallery and conferences.
It should be a fantastic experience for the children who travel here for the SCWC. How do you think the arts programme will affect them? What messages will they take home from the experience?
Yeah, it’s definitely going to be a fantastic experience for the children, as they are going to be meeting new friends while having the time of their lives. The program is going to affect children as it will reflect on their problems and experiences on the streets, work as therapy for them, educate the public and create these beautiful pieces of Art. For me the message they will take home is that the problem of street children is not only in their country of origin, but it an issue that the whole world is facing. They will feel appreciated, as the street world cup is the first ever: and going to bring people together to look at the street children issues and try come up with the solution to help this children: these will be done together with the kids themselves.
You’ll be able to see the results of Mxolisi’s hard work with the Street Child World Cup project in our art gallery in Durban, opening March 2010. In the meantime, read more about our arts programme here, read the full version of Mxolisi’s interview here, and look at the UMthombo arts blog (http://umthomboarts.blogspot.com/) to get a flavour of Mxolisi’s work. We’re really lucky to have his experience on board with the Street Child World Cup project, and are grateful that he’s given his time to have an interview with us.
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Endorsements
- "I know from personal experience just what power football can have to inspire and change young people’s lives whatever their background or nationality. This is what the Street Child World Cup is all about and I give it my full support."
David Beckham, AC Milan and England Midfielder - "No child should have to live on the streets. I commend the Street Child World Cup for providing a platform for the rights of street children to be heard."
Rt Hon Gordon Brown MP, Prime Minister - "The Street Child World Cup demonstrates the tremendous potential of every single child, and especially street children, who are so often treated as less than human. I am proud that the first ever Street Child World Cup will take place in South Africa – and I urge all governments to guarantee the rights of this most marginalised group of their citizens to lives in which their promise is fulfilled.Quot;
Archbishop Desmond Tutu - "When ever people come across me they laugh. It seems like my mouth is zipped because they talk for us. I wish they could give us a chance to talk for ourselves."
Mbali, 15, Durban - "When people see us by the streets, they say that we are the street boys. But when they see us playing soccer, they say that we are not the street boys. They say that we are people like them. They are people like us."
Andile, 15, Durban - "I experienced hardcore street life in my youth. I know what it’s like. I congratulate the Street Child World Cup project in it’s commitment to bring attention to the plight of Street Children through the power of football."
Manny Pacquiao, Filipino professional boxer, current WBO World welterweight champion - "The Street Child World Cup hosted by Umthombo is a wonderful opportunity to hear the forgotten voices of Street Children – often marginalised, this is their time to be heard and to shine on the world stage. From the football field to governments across the world, this is a chance to celebrate the talent that every child has."
Thandie Newton, star of Crash and 2012 - "The Street Child World Cup will use this game, which is loved all over the world, to help give kids a fairer deal. No child should have to be on the street."
Gary Lineker OBE, former Tottenham, Barcelona, and England Forward and BBC’s Match of the Day presenter - "I am delighted that the first Street Child World Cup will take place in South Africa where I know there is a huge passion for football. No child should have to live on the streets and and I fully endorse this campaign giving street children a voice to claim their rights."
Sir Alex Ferguson, Manchester United Manager - "Football and footballers aren’t always in the headlines for the right reasons but the Street Child World Cup harnesses the power of grassroots football to change vulnerable young peoples’ lives for the better across the world through the talent that they have. Good luck to all those taking part."
David Seaman, Former Arsenal and England Goalkeeper - "I’m delighted to endorse the Street Child World Cup. This is a fantastic ground-breaking event, aiming to win rights for street children, not only in Durban but across South Africa – and even the world! I’m sure that every team will be a winner!"
Sir Cliff Richard - "I’ve played football as a teenager with the world watching me. The Street Child World Cup is a brilliant project which will help hundreds of thousands of teenagers who have been forced to live on the streets by getting the world to listen to them and give them a fair chance."
Theo Walcott, Arsenal and England Forward - "No child should have to be on the streets. I am proud to support the Ukrainian team at the Street Child World Cup. Street children need the chance to show the world their potential."
Andriy Shevchenko, Dynamo Kyiv and Ukraine Captain - "It was a privilege to be invited to the launch of the Street Child World Cup at Downing Street. It gives children a voice through football, a platform to express their rights and celebrate their abilities – I’m proud to add my support."
Wilson Palacios, Tottenham and Honduras Midfielder - "Seeing young people enjoying the magic of football is what the game is all about and I feel honoured to be supporting the event for street children taking place in South Africa. The Street Child World Cup is a fantastic grassroots initiative giving a voice to street children through the positive power of football. It’s an example of football making headlines for the right reasons. Good luck to all those taking part!"
Eduardo, Arsenal and Croatia Forward - "I am proud that the first ever Street Child World Cup will be held in my country in 2010. Football has the power to unite people from all over the world and gives young people the discipline and focus to let their true talent shine. No child should have to sleep on the street. I am delighted that the Street Child World Cup will celebrate these children’s potential and call for their rights to be realised.Good luck to all the teams but especially the South African team Umthombo from Durban!"
Aaron Mokoena, Portsmouth Midfielder and South Africa’s Captain and most capped player - "The Football Association commends initiatives such as the Street Child World Championships which use the power of football to make a difference to people’s lives"
Lord David Triesman, F.A. Chairman - "The Street Child World Cup is a superb campaign, bringing to attention the issues faced by some of the most vulnerable children in the world"
Edith Bowman, BBC Radio 1 - "My career is testament to the global village that football has become. The Street Child World Cup is a groundbreaking campaign highlighting the essential rights that all children must be given. From Montevideo via Brighton and down to Durban – let’s spread the word!"
Gus Poyet, former Chelsea and Tottenham Hotspur midfielder, Brighton and Hove Albion Manager - "South Africa 2012 will be watched by most of the World. The Street Child World Cup is the ultimate opportunity for us all to invest in the grassroots of football. Great campaign."
Sam Allardyce, Blackburn Rovers Manager - "The power of football in the community is undeniable and football is now a global community. I support the Street Child World Cup in raising awareness and support through football for the most vulnerable in our community: street children"
Owen Coyle, Bolton Wanderers Manager - "Throughout my career I have been an advocate of community development through football and the Street Child World Cup is an excellent example of uniting through football in support of young people across the World."
Alan Curbishley, Former Charlton and West Ham Manager
