Nzambenangai Film Production has continued its mission of making theatre accessible to local communities through its Touring and Community Activations Programme, taking live performances beyond traditional theatre spaces and directly into the communities.

The Women’s Month programme began at Stanwest Hall in Standerton on August 10, where community members gathered to celebrate women through theatre, storytelling and performance.

At the heart of the activation were three young performers – Nontobeko Khanye, Wendy Mbhele and Sphelele Maseko – who each presented a solo performance inspired by the stories of strong women from the Bible.

The three productions explored the stories of Hannah, the woman with the issue of blood, and the woman caught in adultery, using theatre to speak about prayer, perseverance, rejection, faith, healing, judgement, forgiveness, grace and restoration.

The performances demonstrated how storytelling can connect ancient stories with experiences that women continue to encounter today, while also providing young emerging artists with an opportunity to develop their confidence and gain practical experience performing before a live community audience.

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Behind the performances was another young creative, Lungile Sibanyoni, who contributed as Stage Designer and Wardrobe, helping transform the performance space and visually bring the stories and characters to life.

The community activation forms part of a broader effort by Nzambenangai Film Production to ensure that young people are not only trained in the arts but are also provided with opportunities to put those skills into practice.

Following the first activation, the team will continue with rehearsals from 11–20 August, preparing for further touring and community performances scheduled for 21 August at a school and 23 August at a community church.

The programme also recognises that meaningful community arts development is never achieved by one organisation alone.

Nzambenangai Film Production extends its sincere appreciation to ASSITEJ South Africa, Lekwa Local Municipality and the National Arts Council of South Africa (NAC) for their continued contribution towards arts development and creating opportunities for young people.

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A special word of gratitude also goes to Sis Maphaseka, whose support and presence within the community have contributed to making the activation possible.

For communities such as Standerton, where access to formal theatre infrastructure remains limited, initiatives of this nature demonstrate that theatre does not have to exist only on major stages. A community hall, school or church can become a theatre when artists, stories and audiences are brought together.

The programme is also building on the skills and experience developed through Nzambenangai’s earlier workshops and the Kwasukela Storytelling and Performance Festival, ensuring that training leads to real opportunities for young creatives.

As Women’s Month continues, Nzambenangai Film Production intends to keep taking these stories into community spaces – celebrating women while creating platforms for the next generation of actors, performers, designers and storytellers.

Theatre is not only about bringing people to the stage. Sometimes, the most powerful thing we can do is bring the stage to the people.