Taking theatre back to the township
Passionate about the arts he dares to tell stories in a diverse manner because he believes in art for the people and therefore should be seen and heard by the entire universe
Azania an ex-soldier’s tale – how a single decision destroyed his life.
An athlete and having just matriculated had hopes of becoming a journalist.
He envisioned a bright future for himself and the love of his life, Azania. Contrary the strict and inhuman rules of apartheid, he lived a sugar-coated life in which he saw life through rose coloured glasses; distancing himself from the responsibilities of freedom.
Well, this only prevailed until he was wrongfully convicted and seeing him fail to protect his beloved. He then opted to go to exile so that he could get equipped and trained in self-defence and to avenge his girlfriend.
To his demise during his time of equipping and training, peace talks were held and upon his return, all his hopes and dreams relinquished, all his hopes and dreams of becoming a journalist vanished.
To date he remains jobless, the community views him as desolate.
He lives in an informal settlement from which he is being moved; however, he holds on to the past yet hoping for the future.
This story is written and performed by Thulani Masango, a multitalented actor.
He hails from eMalahleni.
Passionate about the arts he dares to tell stories in a diverse manner because he believes in art for the people and therefore should be seen and heard by the entire universe.
The story is directed by Moses Moe Mashianoke, the creative artistic director of Nyathela Art Works and a multidisciplinary artist.
He grew up in eMalahleni and is completely sold out to performing arts and more about working with the community.
The need to tell the story was the inspiration drawn from the unsung heroes we see in our communities.
Whom we felt needed to have their stories told and heard by the very communities they reside in.
Nyathela is all about taking theatre back to the township aiming to revive the young people, more especially in the genre of arts.
We explore spaces with low facilities and lack of development and this is done with the intention to inspire upcoming generations whose eyes have never met a live theatrical play.
So that as a young person one can strive for better as opposed to the ‘norm’ and substitute talent for drugs.
This is to give hope and revive the youth and to build a new theatre audience under the program “reviving the state of the arts in eMalahleni” by Nyathela Arts Work is supported by the National Arts Council.
The play will be staged at the New Jerusalem in Agape Pre-School on Saturday, September 14.
For more information please contact Moses Muyela (Creative Artistic Director) at: 078 709 8700 or Email: nyathelaartswork@gmail.com
