The unique initiative continues to establish a national presence by welcoming the second recipient from Johannesburg – Tsepo Wa-Mamatu, a lecturer, who teaches performance, writing and film analysis at the Wits School of Arts. He regards himself as being a confrontational theatre maker, who is passionate about issues pertaining to political consciousness; personal development and emotional intelligence.
Wa-Mamatu, who is often invited to host and facilitate workshops that focus and increase the depth of the South African political rubric, is looking forward to creating a theatre piece that will get people thinking about a series of events that led to a dramatic turn about in the South Africa’s leadership. This production will take the audience on a creative journey that explores our unique South African post colonialism condition right up to the dramatic climax in Polokwane 2007 and the aftermath under a new government, Post Thabo Mbeki.
Wa-Mamatu comments: “When the spectacle of 1994 came into town, we danced and stood in reverence of the spell that wiped the past so quickly. We clapped when Mandela danced and nodded when Thabo became our president. For some, the Zuma presidency became a curse that future chirren will suffer for. Was Mbeki truly wise? Who are we to ask this question when we participated in our own self-destructive ritual in the name of reconciliation and forgiveness that privileged, without shame nor blink, the paler colour? Mbeki understood how bastardised our nation was, yet could not rise above the tide and grip of her circumstances. Mbeki played to these circumstances unknowingly and when he realized how badly he had erred, he lacked the political will and clout to rewrite his history differently. How sad, for leaders of Mbeki’s calibre are few and far between, a fact the future of this country will attest to.”
Tsepo Wa Mamatu was recently named by the Mail and Guardian as one of South Africa’s young and influential people. He is currently working on his doctorate studies in the field of political conflict and leadership. Wa Mamatu’s initial production Thabo Mbeki and other Nightmares, was a case study for Mark Gevisser’s recent publication. Wa Mamatu has just published his first book, Laughing at Blackness: Leon Schuster and the Colonising Laughter.
Mbeki and other Nitemares will be performed from the 29th November – 3rd December at the Theatre Arts Admin Collective, Methodist curch Hall, corner of Milton Road and Wesely Street, Observatory. Tickets are R40; bookings through 021 447 3683 or artsadmin@mweb.co.za.
Start: 29 Nov ’11
End: 3 Dec ’11
Cost: R40
Category: Emerging Theatre Directors Bursary, Performance
Organizer: Theatre Arts Admin Collective
Phone: +27 21 447 3683
Email: artsadmin@mweb.co.za
Venue: Theatre Arts Admin Collective
Phone: +27 21 447 3683
Address: Cnr Wesley and Milton Streets, Observatory, South Africa