Lindokuhle Melaphi and Mihlali Bele in Hamba Nam Ndipheleke. PICTURE: Xolani Tulumani
Drama Hamba Nam Ndipheleke by Nompumezo Buzani, makes its stage debut at the Pam Golding Theatre at the Baxter from Thursday September 14 to Saturday September 30.
Performed in isiXhosa with English surtitles, Hamba Nam Ndipheleke (which means come with me, accompany me), is a Grade 10 setwork directed by Bulelani Mabutyani.
Buzani, a professional nurse, author and playwright, lays bare the fracturing of families and the oppression and abuse that women and girls suffer in a patriarchal society that perverts culture and tradition to facilitate their exploitation.
Adapted by Anele Kose and Bulelani Mabutyana, the cast features the Magnet Theatre Youth Company members Azola Mkhabile, Buhle Stefane, Kuhle Myathaza, Lindokuhle Melaphi, Mihlali Bele, Molupi Lepeli, Nosiphiwo Ndabeni, Siphenathi Siqwayi, Sipho Kalako, Thabo Mkenene and Wendy Mrali.
Miliswa Mbandazayo is the dramaturge and translator, with original music composed by musical director, Bongani Magatyana, who also performs live, alongside musician Khangelani Twani.
The story follows the journeys of two sisters , Thandiwe and Mhizana, whose indomitable spirits lead them to defy their circumstances and misfortunes, by leaving their homes to seek better lives for themselves. Their separate, yet intertwining journeys, illustrate vividly the profoundly damaging impact Apartheid’s labour migration and Bantustan systems had on the fabric of South African society.
School’s performances for Hamba Nam Ndipheleke are at 11am, Tuesday to Thursday, and on Friday September 15, with 7.30pm evening performances on Fridays and Saturdays and 2.30pm matinees on Saturdays.
Tickets cost R90 or R60 each for school group bookings. Book through Webtickets or for discounted block or schools’ bookings, charities or fundraisers, contact Nontsikeleko Maboza on nontsikelelo.maboza@uct.ac.za or 021 680 3984.