Kinders Van Die Ses and the Power of Community Theatre
The story of how Boeta Maan turned talent from his community into something bigger.
Image: Facebook/KVDS Fan Page
Back in 1987, Mr. Omar Adams, better known as Boeta Maan, kicked off something special in Mitchells Plain. It wasn’t a big studio or fancy production; it all began in his two-bedroom home. With the help of his wife, Mareldia Adams, and Elizabeth Isobel, Alistair Izobel’s mom, Boeta Maan started Kinders Van Die Ses.
Everything in those early years came out of his own pocket. He did it because he believed in the kids and wanted to offer them something more than what was happening on the streets. He didn’t just teach them acting; he provided everything – from clothes to tours – all for free.
The Start of Kinders van die Ses
Boeta Maan wasn’t looking to just start a group for fun. He saw the dangers that were all around his sons in Mitchells Plain, and he knew he needed to keep them busy with something meaningful.
He didn’t have formal training in directing or producing, but he sure knew how to work with raw talent. In his garage, a group of kids from disadvantaged homes came together. What started as a small workshop turned into something much bigger. These kids weren’t just learning to act; they were singing, dancing, and being pushed to reach their potential.
He could’ve easily let them slip into the chaos of their environment, but instead, he gave them a place to create. The more the group performed, the bigger it got. Kinders Van Die Ses didn’t just stay in Mitchells Plain—they toured all over the Western and Eastern Cape, even going to Johannesburg.
Shows like Wag n Bietjie Lag n Bietjie, Hou Op Kekkel, and Pappa Bly Skel oor Geld became fan favourites. The plays were full of life and straight-up, in-your-face entertainment. And through it all, the kids kept learning, growing, and getting better at their craft.
How The Show Nurtured Today’s Artists
Kinders Van Die Ses became a stepping stone for plenty of local talent that would go on to have their own success in the entertainment world. Many of the people who started out in the group have since made names for themselves, including Emo Adams, Loukmaan Adams, and Alistair Izobel. Emo, for example, is now a popular TV host of Noot Vir Noot, but it all started with the foundation Boeta Maan built.
In addition to these stars, many others have come through the ranks, like Junaid Booysen, Gavin Roman, Waseef Piekaan, and many more.
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