The Joburg Child Welfare (JCW) is set to shine a light on the power of hope, resilience and unity with its upcoming theatrical production, String Valley. The inspiring play is performed by JCW’s young artists, who are beneficiaries of the organisation and will take centre stage at the Joburg Theatre on Saturday, 1 November 2025, at 3 pm sharp.
The production, created and performed by children under JCW’s care – many of whom are orphaned or have faced immense personal challenges – tells a moving story of courage, healing and community.
A tale of strength against all odds, set in the mystical land of String Valley, the story follows a group of children living under the iron rule of Sekatana, a cruel dictator who has stolen their freedom, play and dreams. But through friendship, laughter and the courage to stand together, the children find strength in unity and reclaim their voices.
“This production is more than entertainment, it’s a testament to the strength our children possess,” says William Secwammung, Inner-City Director at Joburg Child Welfare, a not-for-profit organisation (NPO) that is dedicated to providing abused, abandoned, neglected, orphaned and vulnerable children with the love and support they deserve.
“The young performers have poured their hearts into this story, and their collective voice proves that hope and solidarity can triumph over even the darkest circumstances,” noted Secwammung.
He shared that, beyond the stage, String Valley forms part of JCW’s broader strategy to empower vulnerable young people to use the arts and performance as tools for healing, personal growth and as practical skills development to enable them to become self-sustaining adults as they grow.
“The arts present a practical tool to upskill young people and continue to prove that we can nurture young talent and develop their creative and professional abilities to help these young people learn useful skills that they can use in the future. Storytelling, stagecraft, scriptwriting and production management expertise are among the skills they acquire. This can be an invaluable tool for future employment creation or employment.”
“The production not only gives young people a chance to heal but also to dream, to learn and to see themselves as capable contributors to society,” Secwammung added.
At its core, String Valley symbolises the courage of South Africa’s children who, despite hardship, continue to rise above their circumstances with creativity and unity.
JCW’s young performers are set to remind audiences that even in the toughest times, hope remains unbreakable. All proceeds from this event will support Joburg Child Welfare’s ongoing programmes, which provide essential services to vulnerable children and families across the Johannesburg area.
String Valley opens at the Joburg Theatre on Saturday, 1 November 2025, at 3pm with tickets priced at R100 for adults and free for children under the age of five years. Tickets are available through Joburg Theatre’s box office, https://www.webtickets.co.za/ and https://www.quicket.co.za/
About Joburg Child Welfare (JCW):
The Joburg Child Welfare was established in 1910, and for over 115 years, the non-profit organisation (NPO) has been dedicated to providing abused, abandoned, neglected, orphaned, and vulnerable children with the love and support they deserve. The JCW provides comprehensive care and empowerment services to vulnerable children, families, and communities, with a special focus on GBV prevention and victim support initiatives.
For more information about the Joburg Child Welfare visit https://jhbchildwelfare.org.za/get-involved/
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