Following its successful run at the Cape Town Ikhwezi festival, Ka-Nyamazane is coming to Johannesburg at the Windybrow Theatre for a four weeks season.

Ka-Nyamazane is written and directed by Mncedisi Shabangu whose recent theatre works are shaping the national theatre landscape. His latest piece, Ten Bush, also set in the township of Ka-Nyamazane performed to sold out houses at the 2008 National Arts Festival in Grahamstown. “There are many stories that I have left in Ka-Nyamazane, I felt there was a need for me to write something about people I grew up idolizing, no matter how hard I run and change places, Ka-Nyamazane will forever be a place in my heart” says Shabangu about his latest offering. The play was inspired by Shabangu’s mentor, Ken and his late childhood friend, Smanga. “Ken has always been my mentor, he introduced me to the big world of politics even though he was considered a criminal. Dallas will forever be the boy I tried to save with art. He was a promising actor but chose to return to the military” says Shabangu passionately.

Based on a true story the play Ka-Nyamazane tells a story of a failed love relationship that emasculated the township of Ka-Nyamazane. It is said that one day, deep in the middle of the night a bus carrying comrades to a funeral set off. Two of the comrades, JR and Dallas never returned and people in the township considered them dead. Years later, in the new South Africa they resurfaced. They were never as innocent as they were before.

JR is caught up in the luxuries that are brought about by the country’s new dispensation while Dallas is down and out and wants to overthrow the government. Both of them have in the past been involved with S’bongile, the most beautiful girl in the township and an envy of every township man.

The play starts when the two old comrades meet, a meeting that will change both their lives and draw S’bongile closer to danger. However, S’bongile has her own ideas.

The play touches on very real issues like love and our (in)ability to deal with the emotions and rationale thereof. Themes that are explored include love, Robert Sobukwe’s vision on Pan-Africanism, race relations and many others. Ka-Nyamazane tackles a world in the thrall of power and riches, a culture where brotherhood, sisterhood and moral codes are mocked and have no usefulness.

In creating this play “I was armed with the small knowledge of no sets and props ... I wanted it to look like a movie on stage ... that is how difficult it was, more so that I had set out to defy the norms of theatre in Johannesburg because audiences always want something new and exciting if you don’t give them that they loose interest easily” concludes Shabangu.

The Windybrow Theatre provides patrons with free secure parking manned by security guards. 

FOR MORE INFORMATION PLEASE CONTACT
 Tshidi Pooe
Tel: (011) 720 0003/4
Cell: 072 269 9037
E-mail: lindi@windybrowarts.co.za