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Ekasi Lam – An Ode to Kwaito, Un-Owed to Kwaito

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Ekasi Lam – An Ode to Kwaito, Un-Owed to Kwaito presents the point of view that there is no genre closer to an accurate portrait of the township than kwaito. It posits that when closely observed, kwaito – and all its subsequent sub-genres – is the living literature of Johannesburg’s South Western Townships, and every kasi beyond Soweto’s borders.

Writer and director Jefferson Bobs Tshabalala together with musical director Bernett Mlungo use scamtho poetry as a vehicle to tell a unique township story about South African kwaito and how its vast catalogue has offered timeless, nuanced vignettes and a myriad insights into how the majority of Mzansi lives.

Much like hip hop, kwaito is ‘urban poetry’, an agent for social commentary through its lyrics and the statements its practitioners stand for. From points of charged political awareness to engaging with sociological issues, from cultural critique to astute personal introspection, kwaito’s themes and concepts are far reaching and formidable.

Director: J.Bobs Tshabalala
Music Composed By: Bernett Mlungo
Featured Artists: Simpho Mathenjwa, Mathews Rantsoma, Gugu Dhlamini, Lucky Ndlovu, Kopano Tshabalala
Company: Jefferson Bobs Tshabalala

Project Manager: Nontobeko Mkhatshwa

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All Who Pass

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1974: Eviction. An inner-city Cape Town neighbourhood is being forcibly cleared by the apartheid regime. A family spend their last night together in their District Six home.

2019: Restitution. A daughter returns to claim her inheritance and exorcise the ghosts of what took place there. A journey that will bring her back to a landscape of memories, past and present.

Amy Jeptha, this year’s Standard Bank Young Artist for Theatre, explores displacement in her new play, All Who Pass. The work time-travels between a 1974 eviction and a 2019 restitution. This play was first developed during the Royal Court Theatre International Playwriting Residency with support from the British Council.

Written By: Amy Jephta
Music Composed By: Benjamin Jephta
Company: PaperJet

Directed by: Quanita Adams
Lighting Design: Jon Keevy
Costumes realised by: Leigh Bishop
With: Elton Landrew, Carmen Maarman, Jawaahier Petersen, Roberto Meyer and Iman Isaacs

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KZN Youth Orchestra

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The KwaZulu-Natal Youth Orchestra conducted by Lykele Temmingh will present this year’s Children’s Concert. The KZN Youth Orchestra comprising talented young musicians from around KwaZulu-Natal will showcase their different instruments in a fun and interactive way in the Monument’s Fountain Foyer.

The KwaZulu-Natal Youth Orchestra comprises the best of young musical talent in the province, and is open to all KZN youth between the ages of 12 and 22. Membership of the youth orchestra is a prestigious accomplishment.

They perform under the baton of maestro Lykele Temmingh, who is the resident conductor with the KZN Philharmonic Orchestra, with which the youth orchestra is affiliated, and Cathy Peacock, the sub principal trumpet player with the KZN Philharmonic since 1990.

Director:  Lykele Temmingh and Cathy Peacock
Featured Artists: Members of the KZN Youth Orchestra
Company: KwaZulu-Natal Youth Orchestra

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DEURnis / Uzwelo

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DEURnis / Uzwelo comprises of several plays specifically written for a space. Each play lasts about 20 minutes, and the audience member moves from one room to the next to experience the different performances. Plays are grouped, and a ticket gives an audience member access to three plays. The whole experience, including short breaks in between performances, lasts for around 90 to 100 minutes. 

DEURnis / Uzwelo is presented by Theatrerocket in partnership with the National Arts Festival, KWASHA! Theatre Company, the Windybrow Arts Centre and the Market Theatre Laboratory.

Supported by AK21 and NATi (Nasionale Afrikaanse Teaterinitiatief)

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Cellist with Rabies

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A virologist, on the precipice of making the first major breakthrough in rabies research since Louis Pasteur, is caught off guard when the rabies virus in her petri dish begins talking to her. Cellist with Rabies, a new South African play from a multi-award-winning team, pushes the boundaries of kamishibai to tell a story of disease, failure and breakfast.

Director: Jaco Bouwer
Company: Jemma Kahn

Writer: Jemma Kahn
Performers: Jemma Kahn & David Viviers
Set Design: Rocco Pool

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All Who Pass – Amy Jephta

Click on an image to enlarge. Then right click to save. Please remember to credit the photographer, Stefan Disek.

Written By: Amy Jephta
Music Composed By: Benjamin Jephta
Company: PaperJet
Directed by: Quanita Adams
Lighting Design: Jon Keevy
Costumes realised by: Leigh Bishop
With: Elton Landrew, Carmen Maarman, Jawaahier Petersen, Roberto Meyer and others

Amy Jeptha, this year’s Standard Bank Young Artist for Theatre, explores displacement in her new play, All Who Pass. The work time-travels between a 1974 eviction and a 2019 restitution. This play was first developed during the Royal Court Theatre International Playwriting Residency with support from the British Council.

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G7: Okwe Bokhwe

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Magnet Theatre’s G7: Okwe-Bokhwe (like/of a goat) is set in the emotional and tension-filled environment of a Truth and Reconciliation Commission hearing. Artistic Director Mandla Mbothwe has created a powerful mourning play, an attempt to honour, commemorate and remember the ultimate sacrifice made by the Gugulethu Seven.

Director: Mandla Mbothwe
Choreographer: Mzo Gasa
Music Composed By: Babalwa Makwetu
Featured Artists: Abigail Mei, Luxolo Mboso, Siyavuya Gqumehlo, Sivenathi Macibela, Sizwe Lubengu, Sityhilelo Makupula, Carlo Daniels and Yvonne Msebenzi
Company: Magnet Theatre

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Monsieur Ibrahim en die Blomme van die Koran

Director: Phillip Rademeyer | Featured Artists: Dawid Minnaar  | Company: Kunste Onbeperk

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The Incident

Writer & Producer: Joakim Daun | Director: Elizabeth Zaza Muchemwa | Cast: Mimi Ndiweni and Nikola Ruzicic | Dramaturge: Zoë-Guzy Sprague
Company: The Incident Project