As the lights went up after the final showing of Rondomskrik at the Klein Karoo Nasionale Kunstefees in Oudtshoorn this week, the only person who remained seated during the standing ovation was Anene Booysen's sister Annemarie. She sat quietly sobbing.
Rondomskrik, written by Rachelle Greeff, is inspired by the brutal rape and murder of Anene. It tells the story of Antjie Fortuin who, like Anene, grew up in a poor area surrounded by poverty, drugs and alcohol.
Greeff met Annemarie when she travelled to Bredasdorp to learn about Anene.
She discovered that Annemarie also wanted to tell stories and is now mentoring her, the show's director and producer, Hennie van Greunen, said.
The play is performed on a stage littered with paper planes, representing the lives and trajectories of children taught by Jasmien Jacobs, played by veteran actress Shaleen Surtie-Richards.
Van Greunen said he and Greeff had wanted to establish a movement of "uitkyk aunties", community members who look out for and help children.
"The idea is that if someone can take an interest in a kid, we can save some of these kids," Van Greunen said.
Surtie-Richards said it meant "everything" to her to play the part of Jacobs, a teacher who nurtures Antjie at school, but cannot prevent her violent death.
She said: "I prefer to play from my heart and from my gut.
"I've always believed that if you're honest in what you're trying to tell people, they will believe you."
Crystal-Donna Roberts, who portrayed Antjie, said of her role: "It's a scary place to go to but it's one that you have to go to if you want to give it honour."
Van Greunen hopes to secure runs for the production in Pretoria and Cape Town.
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