We are happy to announce that Rukaya Samuels (26) has officially joined the Lalela team as a Business and Arts South Africa (BASA) intern for the year. This marks a significant moment as Rukaya revisits Lalela, 13 years after initially immersing herself in the world of creativity in our after-school programme at Sentinel Primary in Hout Bay.

In a significant collaboration enabling young people from under-resourced communities to thrive, Lalela and the Tomorrow Trust have joined forces to expand the reach and impact of our respective initiatives.

In a striking celebration of Cape Town's unique identity, the V&A Waterfront last month revealed a brand-new sign made up of artwork created by the young talents participating in our after-school programmes.

In a powerful collaboration that marries art and conservation, Lalela and the not-for-profit organisation Rhino Disharmony joined forces to shed light on the urgent issue of rhino poaching.

The annual Community Exhibition is a standout event in the Lalela calendar, which showcases the artistic outputs of learners throughout the year.

A highlight during this last term of the school calendar, was an excursion to the solo exhibition, GILT, by Mary Evans—an accomplished British artist of Nigerian origin. Hosted at the prestigious Zeitz MOCAA, this exhibition was a rare opportunity for our learners to experience.

Cape Town-born musician Jonathan Butler shed light on the profound impact of after-school programmes, such as Lalela's educational arts initiative, which fosters creativity and personal growth within young people.

September Sessions is a time for the Lalela team to reflect and plan for the year ahead.

Lalela's star is shining bright following recognition for our work in proving educational arts for young people in under-resourced communities. Our latest award is testament to the hard work and dedication of the entire Lalela team, the support of the communities we work in and the young people who participate in our arts programme. 

Lalela artists had the special privilege of seeing their artworks on the walls of Zeitz MOCAA in Cape Town in an exhibition tying in with the finale of the museum's 'When We See Us' show.