Integrating research, teaching, and community engagement is a cornerstone of Prof. Raita Steyn’s work in the Department of Humanities Education. A notable aspect of her community engagement project is exploring social awareness through the arts, particularly visual arts and live theatre performances. These performances are significant in cultural and educational discourse, providing a platform for dialogue, reflection, and social change in South Africa. Specifically, Prof. Steyn’s project titled ‘Us and the Others’ exemplifies the power of theatre in sparking critical conversations by promoting the educational role of performing arts nationally and internationally, focusing on fostering awareness through knowledge and social consciousness through empathy, with particular emphasis on human rights advancement in South Africa.

Furthermore, in the context of Prof Steyn’s project and collaboration with Dr Pranitha Bharath from History Education, Mr Renos Nicos Spanoudes, who is of Greek Cypriot origin and a prominent figure within the South African Greek community, has played a pivotal role. Mr Spanoudes, the Head of Arts and Culture and Dramatic Arts at King David High School Victory Park and a contract Lecturer and Coordinator in the Department of Drama at UP, delivered two captivating segments from his solo performances, entitled ‘It’s All About Memories...’, to students from the Art Education and History Education disciplines at Groenkloof Campus on 31 October 2023. In the first segment, titled ‘Odyssey’, Spanoudes skilfully portrayed the remarkable journey of Advocate George Bizos, famously known as ‘Mandela’s Lawyer’. Through the playwright Victor Gordon’s narrative, the audience was transported into the life of George Bizos and his tireless advocacy for human rights, particularly his collaboration with Nelson Mandela. Spanoudes’ performance was nothing short of inspiring, as he flawlessly embodied George Bizos' persona, capturing his mannerisms and personality traits with precision.

The second segment, “Living in Strange Lands’, delved into the life of Dimitri Tsafendas, the infamous assassin of the South African Prime Minister Hendrik Verwoerd (1901-1966). Through Anton Krueger’s narrative, Spanoudes explored the complexities surrounding Tsafendas’ actions, challenging the audience to reconsider notions of madness and political activism. The monologue prompted critical reflections on identity, history, gender, race, and social class, igniting discussions on intersectionality and fostering a deeper understanding of socio-political dynamics.

These performances serve as catalysts for dialogue and introspection, broadening perspectives and promoting socio-political consciousness within communities. By facilitating discussions on complex historical events and contemporary issues, Spanoudes’ contributions fostered interracial interaction in cooperation and mutual understanding, exemplifying the transformative power of the arts in community engagement.