Artist Jason Jacobs Empowers Nama and Khoi Communities Through Art

Award-winning theatre-maker Jason Jacobs is using art and activism to address generational trauma, unemployment, and addiction within the Nama and Khoi communities of Namaqualand and the Karoo in South Africa. Despite recent success with his film Variations On A Theme and theatre production KRAAL, Jacobs has chosen to remain in his hometown of Kharkams, a small settlement 25km south of Kamieskroon, to work directly with the community.

Jacobs views his art as a means of “restoration work” and prioritizes uplifting the voices and stories of the indigenous people of Namaqualand. He actively employs local residents in his film projects, funded by organizations like the National Film and Video Foundation, and uses theatre as a tool for healing and empowerment.

His work confronts the lasting impact of the “dop system”, a historical practice of using addiction to control workers, which continues to affect families in the Northern Cape. By incorporating ancestral dreams and community collaboration into his productions, Jacobs aims to foster pride, dignity, and a sense of self-worth. He hopes to stem the brain drain from rural communities by creating opportunities for young people to thrive locally.