The Goliath and Goliath funnymen were in the Bay on Monday attending to serious business, as the trio set into motion the Play your Part programme at Chapman High School with the aim of turning pupils’ ideas into currency.
The campaign is the fourth in the country, with the first kicking off in May.
The Goliaths, Jason, Donovan and Nicholas, are throwing their weight behind the programme, initiated by Brand SA.
Hundreds of pupils from Chapman and Walmer high schools enjoyed a comedy show by the Goliaths before attending to the business of the day – a masterclass aimed at encouraging matric pupils to turn their ideas into potential entrepreneurial ventures.
Donovan said the group jumped at the opportunity when approached by Brand SA to share their experience and have a positive impact on the country’s youth through reigniting a sense of passion and belonging in their respective communities.
“We are three coloured guys from very different backgrounds who have overcome our own challenges to make a success of an art form [comedy] which was not taken very seriously until recently,” he said.
“And kids are often told they are too young or their opinion has no place here.
“We are here to change that, by trying to impact their thinking and how they package themselves.
“For example in comedy, clients initially didn’t want to pay [us] ‘to tell jokes’.
“But through repackaging the idea, saying we are entertainers who perform for an audience interested in our thoughts and views, things changed.
“Hence we are here to share those experiences and ensure a conversation of future successes takes place in these schools.”
Donovan said the mistake people often made in pursuing success was trying to emulate the end product – which is often not possible in light of their circumstances – as opposed to realising the value of a product’s process.
“We want to leave here [Port Elizabeth] knowing the conversations taking place [on Monday] won’t leave with us.
“People will attack anything that is different but if you believe in your idea enough, ensure you make it a success regardless of [your] background,” he said.
The programme also intended to teach school pupils to assist within their area by making use of their skills and talents to improve their sureventful roundings, Jason said.
“Our aim for these Play Your Part school activations is to give the learners a masterclass so that we can all freely engage about what it means to be an active SA citizen – and how to use your talent and skills to better develop yourself and the community.
“Also to just reassure learners that there is plenty of support for them to enable a better future for themselves without turning to crime or substance abuse,” Jason said.
“We have had four very activations since the start of the year. I’m confident our young ones have an optimistic vision of what an inclusive economy looks likes.”
Account manager for Ebony and Ivory advertising agency, which is handling the programme promotions, Olivia Hutton, said the programme aimed at uplifting youth out of poverty through their own ideas.
“Many of the children at these activations will not have the opportunity to pursue tertiary education – this programme, through the masterclass, also aims to ignite creative thinking and subsequently turn their ideas into marketable products,” she said.
Chapman High School Grade 10 teacher Jenine Damons said: “The programme impacted immensely in terms of making the pupils realise their ideas carry weight and value, and to hear that so many kids have already participated in the community was very encouraging.
“The positivity shared was fantastic.
“People often visit our schools in the poorer areas and focus on the problems – there was none of that today.
“And for these children to know and hear of others who were in similar situations and still achieved has done a lot for their drive and self-belief.”