In recent years, the winners of the Zwakala Festival have proved that there is an ever-growing audience for plays in a range of South African languages. This year, two plays have been selected by the panel of judges from the festival for a fully resourced, professional production. They are predominantly in English and Tswana. The plays will run in rep, at separate times, from 10 to 30 May at the Barney Simon Theatre.

8 Minuets, written and directed by Clive Mathibe, contains four separate narratives that communicate the female condition as experienced in the township communities. The stories range from a young girl who, out of necessity, has to become the head of the household, to women entering the corporate world and having to take on the roles more ordinarily occupied by men. Here, the four narratives are accompanied by musical ‘spirits’, who add an extra soundscape to the action. A minuet is a slow, static dance – here providing a backing to the action that communicates the stoicism of these extraordinary women, living their relatively ‘ordinary’ lives.

In Madi, written and directed by Mike Makou, burning issues such as child abuse; rape; and HIV/ Aids are dealt with through lightness, humour and the innocent perspectives of children. Increasingly, we have seen young people in the townships taking on their own stories and telling them with freshness, boldness and dignity that is startling given their lack of access to the arts. Madi continues the tradition of such successes as the previous Zwakala winner, Thursday’s Child, which has toured internationally and garnered acclaim. Written mainly in Tswana, with English, the play is loosely and playfully structured, moving in and out of the lives of several characters. It is the glee, vivacity and carefree nature of the performers that one takes away – suggesting that even in the darkest places, innocence and innovation survive.

The Zwakala Festival is an annual event run by the Market Theatre Laboratory. It features up to 10 productions, which are selected from the Lab’s annual Community Theatre Festival. Previous winners include Esuthwini; Coal Yard; Thursday’s Child; Go a Phelwa; Thirteen; and Sekwatlapa.

Production information:
8 Minuets
Author and Director: Clive Mathibe
Musical Director: Kholofelo Khola
Lighting Design: Nomvula Molepo
Choreographer: Sduduzo Majola

Cast members:
Characters:
Kedibone Manyaka: Women 4 and Grand Mother
Kea Sampisi: Spirit
Jeanet Nkomo: Spirit
Tlhapang Petso: Women 1, Aunt and Child
Pamela Ndlovu: Women 3
Mathepelo September: Singer
Sibongile Nomfundo Ngele: Women 2
Madge Ntambo: Singer and Spirit

Madi
Author and Director: Mike Makou
Mentor: Paul Noko

Cast Members
Chairmaine Malileke
Kuli Maluleka
Mary Mmakou

Season Tuesday, 11 to 23 May
Media night: Saturday, 15 May
Madi at 18:00
Break between 19:00 and 20:00
8 Minuets at 20:15
Venue: The Barney Simon Theatre
Please note special performance times:
8 Minuets: Tuesday to Thursday at 20:15 and Sunday at 15:00
Madi: Friday at 20:15, and Saturday at 15:00 and 20:15.