Project Phakama was set up in 1996 by Lift (London International Festival of Theatre) in partnership with Sibikwa Community Theatre, Johannesburg. It was originally launched as an arts exchange programme involving young people and arts and education practitioners from communities throughout South Africa and the UK.

In the Xhosa language, Phakama means rise up, elevate and empower yourself. Accordingly, the programme offers intense cultural training which has resulted in a series of adventurous public performances that has blazed a trail of inspirational endeavour and left a legacy of networks and opportunities in its wake.