Three of the 2025 Cape Town Breaking Walls Artists Build Peace and Acceptance through Art
Awonke, Rabia, and Kersten illustrate the beauty and power of the BW Community-Based Retreat Program. Did you know that BW defines the Retreat as a five-day Community-Based Initiative that brings together small groups of young people from diverse cultures to connect, create art together, and change their perspectives.
Please joyously share the impact the Retreat had on Awonke, Rabia, and Kersten…
My name is Awonke James from Rainbow Dreams Trust. I am an artist from Breaking Walls Cape Town 2025. As a Breaking Walls artist, I learned that you have to show your talent. For me, Breaking Walls is a place where I feel comfortable and myself. As an artist, I got to connect with new people from different places and with various religions and beliefs. I learned that putting away your differences and connecting is the key. Spending 5 days getting to know new faces was fun because more people got to know me. As for the writing, I really enjoyed the sessions because they helped me understand who I am, and that’s helped me grow as a person. I also got to conquer my fear of speaking about my past. We had amazing artistic mentors like Entle, Aviwe, A-Jay, Ms. Abdiyah, OJ, and Fran. I really liked their support because they showed that they cared for us. Although we’d only met at the Retreat, it felt like we’d known each other for much longer. I’m very grateful for every meal the cooks made for us, and as a matter of fact, I am craving one of their meals right now. For me, the Breaking Walls Retreat was filled with mixed emotions, happiness, nerves, gratitude, and a bit of sadness whenever we reflected on each artist’s stories. In this Retreat, you will learn how important it is to respect other people and their cultures and beliefs.
Connecting is one of the main points of Breaking Walls. I also developed leadership skills. When you’re a leader, you’re not controlling but guiding your followers well, leading them with love and care, and working with people, not by yourself. I enjoyed all the activities we did with O.J. If it were up to me, I would go to the Breaking Walls Retreat again. I am a shy person, and this Retreat pulled me out of my shell, boosted my confidence, and let me be the best me I could be. I loved my journey as a Breaking Walls artist. It was one of the best Retreats because it felt like therapy. It was healing for me. Most of all, I enjoyed the times we spent as a group.
Hello, I am Rabia Pietersen from Ocean View High School. My experience at Breaking Walls was fantastic. There was no dull moment in the five days when I was there. I had a goal when I went to the Retreat, and I achieved that goal. That goal was to boost my confidence. I’m so grateful to be part of Breaking Walls 2025. I met 19 phenomenal artists. We connected, created, and changed. NEVER judge a book by its cover. I had supportive directors; I’m so thankful for them. I learned new things, and the most important thing I’ve learnt was acceptance. I wish every unprivileged child could experience the Breaking Walls program.
THANK YOU, Breaking Walls.
I’m Kersten Dube, from Ocean View High School. My experience at the 2025 Breaking Walls Retreat was AMAZING!!! I had so much fun and learned a lot about myself and others. The activities were super cool and helped me step out of my comfort zone. I met new friends and made connections that I will always treasure. The most impactful part for me was the team-building exercises. It made me realize that even though we are all different, we can work together and support each other.
I felt inspired and motivated by the people I met and the things we did. The Retreat helped me become more confident and believe in myself – especially after our performance of the writing titled “We -the Unstoppable Artists.” I loved the energy and positivity of everyone there. It was truly life-changing! I would go back in a heartbeat, and I hope others get to experience it too.
Thank you to everyone who made it possible!