GP Senior Production 2023

The story follows the life of Alunamda, a young and ambitious girl, growing up in the tradition-bound town of Coalville. For generations, girls in Coalville were taught to suppress their dreams if they didn’t align with society’s norms. Alunamda has felt like a misfit from an early age, yearning for something greater and recognising the unsustainability of the ways of Coalville. Despite her efforts to convince her peers, the idea of ‘change’ remains a forbidden topic. One day, Alunamda bravely speaks up to the elders, revealing the burning desire inside her that she cannot ignore. The elders recount an ancient tale of a girl named Sage who, like Alunamda, spoke of change and the same intense feeling many years before. Sage had left Coalville and returned many years later with ‘The Fire’, only to be silenced by the elders. With the threat of being silenced looming over Alunamda, her loving parents encourage her to run away, setting her on a journey into the unknown in search of something more meaningful. Along her path, she encounters four unique entities, each teaching her important life lessons, testing her resilience and revealing the boundless possibilities of life.

At the end of her journey, Alunamda gains the courage to return to Coalville, armed with newfound knowledge and tools to convince everyone of the inevitability of change. Through a powerful rendition of Maya Angelou’s ‘Still I Rise’ and an excerpt from one of Nelson Mandela’s most famous speeches on freedom and equality, Alunamda wins over the village elders, earning her the title ‘The Girl on Fire’. Her parents, in a poignant moment, remind her that her isiXhosa name, Alunamda, means ‘without end’ or ‘limitless’. Just as their love for her knows no bounds, so too are her capabilities, and so are the possibilities of life.

The production

The Girls’ Preparatory students gave a mesmerising performance, educating, captivating and entertaining the audience through their powerful words, riveting dance moves and fitting song selections. Each girl’s voice was heard, and each girl was seen, igniting the stage as true ‘girls on fire’.

The production left the audience deeply moved, reminding everyone that determination, resilience and the courage to embrace change can lead to extraordinary transformations. ‘Girl on Fire: The Journey of Alunamda’ will forever remain a beacon of hope and inspiration for all those who dare to dream beyond the limits imposed by society.

Ms Daphney Matshayana

Director of Arts & Culture