Look Before You Leap: Being Right deals with democracy, human rights, racism and discrimination.

Focussing in particular on the issues of diversity and inclusivity such as poverty, inequality, race, gender, language, age, and disability, discrimination on the basis of race, religion, culture, gender, sexuality, age, ability and language, as well as the concepts of institutionalised racism, xenophobia, and other forms of “othering”, are addressed.

The story pivots around the election of a school’s Student Representative Council. The Learners are introduced to the candidates standing for election, their motivation for running and each candidate’s aims and objectives outlined in their campaigns’. The Audience become the electorate, participating actively in the democratic processes that support and promote the promotion and advancement of the candidates, while simultaneously being privy to the ‘real’ experience of the identity, concerns and motivations of the characters.

Personal and individual needs are placed in a social context that encourages acceptance of diversity and fosters commitment to the values and principles entrenched in the Constitution. The show deals with social relationships and human rights and responsibilities, including how knowledge and understanding of diversity and inclusivity contributes to the development of responsible citizenship and social justice.

The aim is that audience will become (more) politically literate in terms of knowing, understanding and actively participating in democratic processes, both socially and politically. The importance of volunteerism, social service and involvement in a democratic society are emphasised, and the causes, consequences and prevention of pervasive social ills, such as HIV, and all forms of violence and abuse, are also addressed.

SENIOR PHASE (Grades 8 and 9)

• Topic 1: Development of the self in society
• Topic 2: Health, social and environmental responsibility
• Topic 3: Constitutional rights and responsibilities

FET PHASE (Grade 10 – 12)

• Topic 1: Development of the self in society
• Topic 2: Social and environmental responsibility
• Topic 3: Democracy and human rights

Details

Duration:

60 minutes

Recommended Age:

13 years – 19 years

Recommended Grade:

Grade 8 – Grade 12

Language(s):

English (first language) / Afrikaans (second language)

Curriculum Connection:

Creative Arts, Dramatic Arts, Life Orientation/Life Skills

Themes Covered:

Abuse, Choices, Cultural diversity, Discrimination, Gender roles, Group dynamics (peer pressure), Identity, Intra/interpersonal conflicts, Life skills, Poverty, Prejudice, Racism, Relationships, Self-efficacy, Self-image, Sexuality, Tolerance, Xenophobia