An internationally acclaimed theatre production written by three classic playwrights is now playing on the Soweto Theatre stage, bringing an air of apartheid melancholy to a township that was at the heart of the liberation struggle. Originally penned by Percy Mtwa, Mbongeni Ngema, and Barney Simon, the iconic play Woza Albert!, which is a duologue, stars local thespians Hamilton Dhlamini and Thulani Mtshweni.
“Woza Albert was a ground-breaking play 42 years ago in South Africa, challenging the apartheid system and its propaganda by offering an alternative narrative that subverted the establishment. The play has been performed all over the world and is considered a South African theatre classic,” say publicists at the Soweto Theatre, urging audiences to watch it.
The play depicts both the inhumanity of the apartheid regime and the enduring tenacity of the human spirit, and it remains one of South Africa’s most popular pieces of satirical anti-apartheid theatre. It was first staged in 1981.
The plot revolves around two Black men, Albert and John, who are looking for a better life in apartheid-era South Africa. To their surprise, Christ appears to them in the flesh one day. Instead of the prophesied white Messiah, Christ appears in the form of a Black South African, Morena. He is confronted with the realities of apartheid and Black people’s suffering, and he decides to oppose the tyrannical regime.
“It doesn’t matter what colour you are or what language you speak; we are all South Africans. The damage is done; let’s work with the kind of races that we have. We must all participate equally to rebuild this country,” adds Dhlamini.
The play depicts how people from various social classes react to the news of the “second coming,” as well as how they respond to the message of hope and emancipation that ‘Morena’ conveys.
Woza Albert will provide Sowetans with a riveting reality check on facets of the apartheid system’s inhumanity in juxtaposition with South Africa today. It is a stirring examination of the unwavering human spirit and its ability to thrive in the face of hardship. It serves as a stark reminder of the value of standing up for what is right and fighting for justice. It is still relevant today since it is part of the school curriculum, and Sowetans can relate to the play as a testament to the human spirit’s perseverance and ingenuity in the face of oppression and injustice.
“Woza Albert! will help teach millennials not to have amnesia about what happened during apartheid. It’s an opportunity to reflect on the past and choose who should lead this country to greener pastures. South Africa has potential,” says Dhlamini.
Throughout the play, Dhlamini and the enterprising Mtshweni take on the roles of a wealthy white man, a Black activist, a white liberal, and a Black worker, among others. These characters highlight the various perspectives and experiences of South Africans during apartheid.
The characters face a range of scenarios along their journey that symbolise the sufferings of the South African people under the oppressive regime.
“Woza Albert” means “Rise Up, Albert!”. The play uses humour and satire to address serious socio-political concerns about apartheid while also highlighting the oppressed Black majority’s quest for liberation and equality and contrasting the sentiments of black and white South Africans towards their country’s political status quo.
Dhlamini, one of the principal performers, is a playwright and filmmaker best known for many local television and cinema roles, as well as a Golden Horn Award for Best Actor in a TV Soap.
He is renowned by his peers in the industry for his ability to give strong yet vulnerable performances, as he consistently adds depth and personality to his characters. Despite having performed a wide range of parts, he excels at portraying complicated, multi-dimensional characters.
Dhlamini is also a supporter of the arts, having collaborated with a number of institutions to promote South African theatre and film.
Mtshweni, on the other hand, is well-known for his work on television shows like Isidingo, Isibaya, iNumber Number, and Gomora, to name a few.
Woza Albert! premiered at the Soweto Theatre on Monday, 8 May and runs through Sunday, 14 May off Bolani Road in Jabulani. Tickets are R150 per performance and are available at the box office.
The theatre schedule is as follows: Tuesday, 9 May 11am; Wednesday, 10 May 11am; Thursday, 11 May 11am; Friday, 12 May 7pm, Saturday, 13 May 7pm and Sunday, 14 May 7pm.
Written by Mosa Khunou
09/05/2023