Playing to learn; the MAD way

Play empowers children to rise to challenges and find hope. Play makes children feel happy and improves their cognitive, physical, social and emotional wellbeing. 

Having fun learning is an underpinning philosophy at MADaboutART. Our activities are based around fun and play to stimulate learning and support positive change, like icebreakers, art, drama and story-telling.

Article 31 of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC) enshrines a child’s right to play as their human right. In South Africa, children's rights are written into the Constitutional Bill of Rights, however many children grow up in homes with limited opportunity to play. A recent study showed nearly half of South Africa’s children have never drawn a picture or read a book with a parent or guardian.

In partnership with UK charity Rockstone & Pebbles, and guided by experiences of children at MAD, we’re encouraging everyone to recognise and practice children's Right to Play. A giant artwork telling stories of the importance and benefits of play in children’s lives will be completed this year, ready to tour schools and community events and put play firmly back on the agenda. 

Leading this project is a new team member, Kgotello (KG), below.

KG follows his father Siphiwe’s footsteps to MAD. Siphiwe was a youth ambassador at MAD (2004-7), a gifted artist who worked on many landmark MAD artworks including Rainbow of Hope and Vinnie the Virus.

We’re so happy to welcome this second generation MAD member to the team!