Joburg theatres to show the price we pay because of corruption
“Overeating” excuse the pun, see the relevance of it in South Africa’s government in the theatres.
The Mother of All Eating is coming to Joburg theatre this month in acknowledgement of Johannesburg Mayor Herman Mashaba’s campaign to stamp out fraud and corruption in the City.
Written by legendary Zakes Mda and directed by Makhaola Siyanda Ndebele, it will be staged at the Soweto Theatre and Roodepoort Theatre for all government departments starting from next week Wednesday February 8.
The play is a two-man satire, featuring admired actors Mpho Osei-Tutu & Pusetso Thibedi which explores an unfortunate culture of corruption called ‘eating’.
After its success at the Market Theatre, this culture has become identical with corrupt state officials who seek to enrich themselves through government deals and looting public funds; which is relevant to South Africa’s current affairs. “Corruption is prevalent worldwide and now more than ever, it is talked about openly and we see officials exposed on a daily basis across the globe”, says Makhaola Ndebele.
The play is set in the 1980’s in Lesotho around “The Man” (the principal secretary in government) who is part a government tender deal gone wrong; that leads to his extravagant life to come to an abrupt end.
“It is important to tell locally relevant stories that will resonate with our state, people and portray how corruption indeed hinders not only on the investment of the country’s economy but also how it effects the ordinary citizen”, said Ndebele.
