Play strikes (G)old on SA’s stages
JOBURG – Currently (G)old receives two awards, one for bronze ovation and the other for best ensemble.
After bagging two awards at the National Arts Festival – a bronze ovation and best ensemble – presentations at Wits 969 Festival, PopART Theatre and the Ramolao Makhene Theatre, Currently (G)old was showcased at the Market Theatre in Newtown from 13 August to 18 August and City Buzz had the opportunity to see what our young theatre actors had to offer.
The play, presented by Kwasha Theatre Company working with the Market Theatre Laboratory and the Windybrow Arts Centre, scrutinises South African history from the brink of a new dawn into democracy, analysing a document held in the highest regards around the world, the South African Constitution, but asking the question: Does it protect the citizens enshrined rights?
Currently (G)old, satirically at times, ridicules the state of human rights in our country and no political leader or public figure is safe. There were many moments we found ourselves laughing out loud despite the seriousness of the state of our affairs.
The ensemble cast was young, up and coming with the likes of Thulisile Nduvane (23), Molatelo Tracy Maffa, Sibahle Prosper Mangena and Vusi Petros Nkwenkwezi (27). They don’t just act, they use comedy, music, lighting, movement and just four boxes to take us on a journey of challenging the rights enshrined in the Constitution.
Throughout the play, it reminds us that since 1994, our democracy is still grappling with inequality, equal education, police brutality and abuse of power, by using relevant references of Fees Must Fall, the Marikana and Sharpeville massacres, the current, dire state-owned enterprises (SOEs) and asking the question: are commissions of inquiry worth the taxpayers’ time and money? Youth voices are shifting our politics and shaping our future.
The play highlights the importance of accountability, we analyse, unearth evidence of corruption but no one seems to take the fall. As the four actors left the stage to another standing ovation, the play highlighted that human rights may be enshrined in the Constitution but if accountability is taken out of it, societal issues will deepen.
